Is my HBO safe? What the Paramount-WBD merger means for the future of CNN, movies, and more.

What's going to happen to all my favorite TV shows and movies?

Paramount has joined forces alongside Warner Bros. Discovery, prompting questions concerning what the mega-deal method for the likes of HBO and CNN.

Skydance, David Ellison's new amusement giant, is now residence to HBO, HBO Max, CNN, CBS, Paramount+, Pluto TV, the Warner Bros. studio, Paramount Pictures, and cable networks akin TNT and HGTV.

That portfolio of resources is poised to create Skydance a powerhouse that could difficulty Disney and Netflix in streaming during boasting the premium, historic IP that Google's YouTube doesn't have.

Below is a breakdown of what Skydance has stated concerning how it volition method movies, streaming, traditional TV, and news — the two publically and in personal meetings alongside employees.

Streaming: An HBO-Paramount excellent app is coming, eventually

Although Ellison has stated that HBO Max and Paramount+ volition eventually rotate into a unified service, that won't happen immediately.

Skydance volition build a tech phase that supports the two streamers "as quickly as we perchance can," Ellison told workforce in a town hall on Wednesday, since he stated functioning multiple distinct streaming stacks is "inefficient and fair not the finest way you'd desire to build it."

"That allows you to build improved personalization systems, improved advice systems, allows you to monetize better," Ellison told staffers.

It's unclear what this supercharged streamer would be called, or how much it would disbursal a month.

The norm ad-free type of HBO Max expenses $18.49 a duration compared to $13.99 for Paramount+, during the ad versions are $10.99 and $8.99, respectively.

While Skydance builds its streaming excellent app, it volition create a bundle that lets consumers get the two services at a discount, akin to how Disney offers its Disney+ and Hulu bundle.

Ellison talked concerning creating a "mutual ingest bundle" that would create HBO Max and Paramount+ satisfied accessible to bundle customers in the two apps, which he stated would be a "really, really powerful" offering.

"Because the Paramount-WBD agreement was financed alongside a enormous amount of debt, it's difficult to ideate that streaming cost hikes aren't in Skydance's future," stated media expert Mike Proulx of Forrester. Skydance must pay downward concerning $80 milliard in debt.

Skydance's streaming endeavor volition be run by Casey Bloys, the HBO chief, following Paramount streaming caput Cindy Holland stepped down.

News: CNN and CBS volition be distinct brands, for now

Ellison seems set on keeping CNN operating as a distinct brand, notwithstanding speculation concerning a merger alongside Bari Weiss' CBS News.

CNN CEO Mark Thompson is staying at the network, and Ellison stated at Wednesday's town hall that he won't interfere in news coverage.

He stated the network volition have "complete editorial independence."

Ellison told workforce Skydance wants to assistance CNN "scale and passage the endeavor digitally." The news elephantine already offers a $6.99-per-month subscription for a live TV nourish and complete admission to its site.

When asked by CNN's Anderson Cooper at the town hall how CNN and CBS could activity together, Ellison stated he's motionless figuring out the particulars but suggested the two news networks volition arrive together in several way, whether by sharing resources or talent.

"You can lone be so astute from the exterior looking in," Ellison said, adding that "within, usually, 120 days," new leaders should "be capable to commencement to create those decisions."

Movies: There volition be a dependable stream of films in theaters

Skydance seems set to keep movie output steady.

Ellison's business has promised to put 30 movies in theaters in the two 2027 and 2028, and 32 films a twelvemonth in 2029, 2030, and 2031. About two-thirds of those movies must be broad releases, as part of Skydance's settlement alongside the 12 states suing to halt its deal, and at smallest four a twelvemonth must be autonomous films.

Warner Bros. has 15 films on its theatrical agenda this year, as does Paramount Pictures. That's compared to 11 and eight in 2025 for Warner Bros. and Paramount, respectively.

Skydance has additionally promised not to market the Warner Bros. or Paramount Pictures many until at smallest 2032. Ellison stated on Tuesday that one lot could presenter movie production, during the another could presenter TV production.

Skydance wants to "cherish and celebrate" its movie studios and "keep their character extremely strong," co-CEO Ynon Kreiz stated at the town hall.

TV: It's endeavor as customary for the next few years

When settling the lawsuit from the states, Skydance promised to separately negotiate rates for its cable channels and those of WBD through 2031. Otherwise, it could be forced to divest resources akin BET.

That commitment should assistance keep the position quo in the pay-TV world, since the blended business won't be capable to acquire as much leverage on distributors akin Comcast, Charter, or YouTube TV.

Without that clause, Skydance could have tried to safe higher rates for Paramount channels akin MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon by threatening to withhold WBD networks akin CNN, TruTV, and The Food Network.