CNN Targets Cord-Cutters In Canada With Streaming Launch

Paramount Skydance acquired Warner Bros. Discovery for $111B, merging Paramount+ and HBO Max. The deal includes a settlement requiring 30+ movies/year, $1.5B in domestic filming, and a $6B fund for laid-off workers. Critics warn of potential quality decline, franchise overuse, and political influence on CNN and CBS.

Skydance, formed from the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, raised Discovery+ prices: ad-supported tier to $6.99/month, ad-free to $11.99/month. Existing subscribers get 30-day notice. This is the service's second price hike in 2025. Skydance plans to merge streaming services, but details are unclear. The company aims for $6B in cost savings over three years, with $80B in debt.

Skydance completed its $111B acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a media giant. ICA welcomes Skydance's commitment to release 30+ theatrical films yearly with a 45-day window, though concerns remain about Australian releases. The ACCC approved the deal, finding no substantial competition impact.

Paramount, backed by Skydance Media, acquired Warner Bros. Discovery for about $110 billion. The deal faced competition from Netflix, legal challenges, and regulatory scrutiny. The merger was approved by shareholders and regulators, with the company to be renamed Skydance Corporation. According to Skydance, the deal aims to create a competitive streaming service with 200 million subscribers.

Warner Bros.' film 'Digger,' starring Tom Cruise, is projected to lose $245 million globally, potentially making it the biggest box office flop ever. The film's second-weekend sales dropped 60%, bringing its total to $35.3 million. Variety reports it needs $350 million to break even, though Warner Bros. claims $300 million is the target. The film's Oscar campaign may be scaled back due to poor reception.

Skydance Corp. (formerly Paramount Skydance) completed its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The company plans to merge HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming service, aiming to compete with major players like Disney and Netflix. The combined platform would have about 200 million subscribers and a large content library. Bundling options may be introduced in the future, but details on the merger's structure and timing are still unclear.