Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison recently announced on his Twitter (X) account that the newly formed company from the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will be called Skydance. Ellison stated that this name gives the merged company its own identity while keeping the Paramount and Warner Bros. brands prominent.
Ellison said, “What once was the peak, is now just the beginning. Paramount and Warner Bros. shaped over a century of culture. By combining them, we aren’t rewriting history — we’re equipping these iconic studios with a more powerful engine. Together, we are Skydance: a creative-first home for bold, quality storytelling. We chose this name for a few important reasons. First and foremost, as we bring Paramount and Warner Bros. together, we wanted to preserve what has made each of these studios iconic. Both have distinct identities, extraordinary legacies and brands that have resonated with audiences for generations. We never wanted a new corporate identity to diminish, alter or overshadow either one. Instead, we wanted a name that would give the combined company an identity of its own while allowing Paramount and Warner Bros. — and all our extraordinary brands — to remain in the spotlight. We have big goals for Skydance, and we intend to pursue them with passion, imagination and a willingness to take smart risks. At the same time, we will honor what makes Paramount and Warner Bros. special — giving both studios the opportunity to grow, tell more great stories and bring those stories to even broader audiences around the world, powered by the scale and capabilities of Skydance. I couldn’t be more excited about what we’re going to build together.”
Former Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz will join Paramount Skydance on October 5th as co-CEO. In this role, he will oversee day-to-day operations and the integration of the businesses, while Ellison will manage strategy, creative direction, technology, talent relationships, and strategic partnerships.
Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery currently expect their $110.9 billion merger to finalize on Tuesday, October 6th. This closing date was revealed in regulatory filings after a federal judge approved the settlement that resolved the antitrust case brought by 12 state attorneys general.
The merger is also significant for professional wrestling and combat sports, as WBD is AEW’s main broadcast partner and holds a minority ownership stake in the organization. Meanwhile, Paramount Skydance serves as the primary streaming partner for TKO-owned UFC.
