Skydance CEO David Ellison revealed on Friday that the merged company resulting from his firm’s combination with Warner Bros. Discovery will operate under the Skydance name. The announcement came ahead of the transaction’s anticipated closing the following week. Ellison stated the new corporate branding represents an evolution rather than a departure from the companies’ legacies, noting that Paramount and Warner Bros. will continue to function as distinct studios within the larger organization.
The executive emphasized that adopting the Skydance name allows the combined entity to establish its own identity while preserving the prominence of its constituent brands. The company will trade publicly under the ticker “SKYD.” According to entertainment data firm Rentrak, the merged studios are positioned to release 35 films in the year following the transaction’s completion.
The merger process has unfolded over approximately 18 months, beginning with Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount in August 2025. Following that deal’s closure, Ellison subsequently pursued Warner Bros. Discovery, triggering a competitive bidding process. The two companies reached a merger agreement valued at roughly $110 billion on an enterprise basis in February. After resolving legal challenges from state attorneys general, the parties announced this week that closing was scheduled for the following Tuesday.
Upon completion of the transaction, Ellison will assume the co-CEO role alongside Ynon Kreiz, who is departing from his position leading Mattel.
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