Jessica Toonkel’s Post

Skydance Media, the independent #Hollywood studio, is reportedly in the initial stages of negotiating an all-cash acquisition of National Amusements, the parent company of media conglomerate Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA). This potential deal, as detailed by The Wall Street Journal, could eventually lead to the merger of #Skydance and #Paramount. According to the article, discussions currently revolve around #SkydanceMedia CEO David Ellison and other #investors, including his multi-billionaire father #LarryEllison, purchasing at least a majority stake in #NationalAmusements from the Redstone family. This in turn move would set the stage for a merger between Skydance and #ParamountGlobal (NASDAQ:PARA). Skydance is notable for producing major Paramount films such as 'Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning' and 'Top Gun: Maverick'.  More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors #NASDAQ #PARA http://ow.ly/yGOv1058tUs

📢 Breaking News 📢 Paramount tycoon Shari Redstone recently made the decision to halt the proposed merger with Skydance, as reported by The Guardian. While the merger was highly anticipated, Redstone's bold move has sent shockwaves through the industry. This unexpected turn of events has sparked intense discussions across the business world. What are your thoughts on this development? Share your insights in the comments! #Paramount #Skydance #BusinessNews https://ift.tt/nLUcxzy

🧨 It took about two weeks for the Paramount-Skydance merger to implode. The parties cite concerns over shareholder lawsuits, financial terms, and Paramount's strategic direction. 🗞️ Catch up on the failed merger and what comes next for Paramount in today's media brief. 🤖 Email ai@briifd.com to get a personalized media brief on any topic. #streamingwars #paramount #MediaBrief #BRIIFD

Shari Redstone has agreed to sell Hollywood group Paramount to independent film studio Skydance in a deal that ends her family’s involvement in the company founded by her grandfather in 1936. The merger, which values the new company at $28bn, marks the close of a tumultuous eight-month process in which Redstone held discussions with a range of potential suitors including private equity group Apollo Global Management, Inc. and Sony. It comes just weeks after Redstone blocked a deal with Skydance, which is run by billionaire David Ellison and is backed by US private equity groups including RedBird Capital Partners, at the eleventh hour. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025. The sale transfers the Paramount film studio, which produced classic cinema titles including The Godfather, Titanic, Chinatown and Raiders of the Lost Ark, from the Redstone family to Ellison’s company. David Ellison’s father is Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, one of the world’s richest people. “Given the changes in the industry, we want to fortify Paramount for the future while ensuring that content remains king,” said Redstone. “Our hope is that the Skydance transaction will enable Paramount’s continued success in this rapidly changing environment.” Under the terms of the agreement, Skydance will invest about $8bn to take over Paramount. In the two-step transaction, Skydance will pay $2.4bn to buy out National Amusements, which holds nearly 80 per cent of the voting shares in Paramount. Skydance will then merge with Paramount. Common shareholders in Paramount will receive $15 a share, while those holding A shares will receive $23 a share. #paramount #skydance #streaming #media #news #entertainment https://lnkd.in/gAyFe9iz

$PARA - Paramount Global shares literally fell off a cliff after the WSJ announced that Shari Redstone’s National Amusements has ended discussions with Larry Ellison's son's Skydance Media. Redstone is likely to pursue sale of just National Amusements. National Amusements, which is owned by Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount (77% of PARA's Class A shares), had previously agreed to terms of a merger with a consortium that includes Skydance, and private equity firms RedBird Capital and KKR per CNBC. The deal had been awaiting signoff from Redstone. $PARA shares ended the regular trading session -7.85%. ----------------- As it appeared in the Hammerstone Feed: Steve Kessler (03:33:15 pm) $PARA - Shari Redstone's NAI decides to stop discussions with Skydance, sources note --WSJ

Paramount + Skydance: Shiv Roy (aka Shari Redstone) may have the last laugh. Lesson: Never underestimate a woman over 40. It remains to be seen if Ellison billions + private equity can save Paramount, one of the oldest film studios in the world. (At least they are buying at a relative discount compared to 2019.) For those wondering why all of these mergers, bundles, and content synergies are happening (e.g., WarnerBros/Discovery, Warner Bros./ Disney, Disney/Epic, Netflix/NFL, Apple/MLB), it's the quest for "eyeballs" in this post-pandemic, post-cable era. Sadly, the movie industry has yet to recover in this streaming era. Old cable titans such as Viacom (part of Paramount) are also suffering. Media empires are always built on scale... hence, the quest for mass audiences to monetize. P.S.- It's an intriguing contrast in parenting as it relates to how Sumner Redstone treated his daughter, vs. Larry Ellison and his children's media efforts (Skydance + Annapurna). Links in comments. https://lnkd.in/gF9pJDCe #media #paramount #skydance #mergers

PE giant Apollo making claim to paramount in $11B bid.  Top takeaways: Competition: Apollo’s big bid for Paramount could shake up the entertainment industry. Asset Value: The bid suggests that Paramount’s studio lot is seen as very valuable, even more than the whole company’s market cap. Mergers: There’s another offer on the table from Skydance Media to merge with Paramount, which could change the industry landscape. https://lnkd.in/gANp8CnR

Will Paramount Global end up looking for a new dance partner, or will Skydance Media get to clinch a deal and celebrate with a victory dance? Our Funds Editor, Tom Cane, shared insights on the deal with The Hollywood Reporter, suggesting that Skydance Media holds a favorable position in negotiations with Paramount Global. However, reaching a mutually beneficial deal may prove challenging due to Paramount's dual-class structure. Tom also highlights Apollo and TPG as potential private equity bidders in the industry's consolidation. The anticipated Paramount sale could spur further M&A activity in the media and entertainment sector, driven by financial pressures and the need to compete with streaming giants like Netflix. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eWcVQr99

Decree-Free and Loving It: Sony's Bold Move with Alamo Drafthouse 🎥🍿 In a historic move last week, Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, becoming the first major Hollywood studio to own a movie theater chain since the Paramount Consent Decrees were rescinded in 2020. The Paramount Consent Decrees, a result of a 1948 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, had prohibited film distributors from owning exhibition companies for over 70 years. Under the deal, Alamo Drafthouse will continue to operate its 35 locations within a new division called Sony Pictures Experiences, a sign that Sony is commitment to getting closer to its customers. Interestingly, Sony was the only major studio not to launch its own streaming platform. As the lines between production, distribution, and exhibition continue to blur, Sony's decision to invest in Alamo Drafthouse could prove to be a savvy alternative to the highly competitive streaming market. This acquisition marks the beginning of a new chapter in the ever-evolving world of entertainment, and its impact on the industry will be closely watched. #media #paramount #sony #alamodrafthouse #acquisitions #strategy #entertainment

#ParamountGlobal (NASDAQ:PARA) could be the target of a major takeover by #RedBirdCapital, in collaboration with #SkydanceMedia CEO David Ellison, who are eyeing the acquisition of National Amusements' voting shares to gain control of the media conglomerate. Shari Redstone, currently the non-executive chairwoman of Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA) and president of National Amusements (NAI), controls the company through its class A shares. The potential acquisition of National Amusements' shares could grant RedBird and Skydance control over Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA) without a full purchase, providing an opportunity to divest undesirable assets or seek a strategic partner, according to reports. RedBird and Skydance, which are reportedly interested in Paramount Pictures and other intellectual property, could utilize this approach to gain influence. More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors #NASDAQ #PARA http://ow.ly/nTC31055jxi