Paramount-Warner Bros. merger official: Here’s how it could change what you watch

The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger wrapped up on Tuesday. And with that, the new merger brings a new entertainment company to the industry under the Skydance name. It is valued at $110 billion and will be led by David Ellison, who will serve as the chairman and CEO. His father, Larry Ellison, is a key backer, as reported by Deadline.

In a statement reported by Deadline, David Ellison said that the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger marks an important day for Skydance and the entertainment industry. He added that the goal was to bring the two studios together and build a stronger company with the talent and resources.

Ellison also thanked the employees, creative teams, production crews, advisors, and partners who helped complete the deal. He continued by saying that the company will now focus on its future by supporting creatives, entertaining audiences, and creating value for its shareholders.

This leads to a big question for the viewers, and that is, how would the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger affect the shows, movies, and services they enjoy in their day-to-day life?

How does the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger change what you watch?

A promise of more movies

For viewers, the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger brings one big change, and that is the promise of more movies. As part of the regulatory deal, the new company has agreed to release at least thirty movies in theaters each year for its first two years, as reported by the BBC. That number will then go up to thirty-two movies a year for the next three years.

According to reports, the company will also invest more in U.S. movie production, which could mean more movies heading to theaters instead of straight to streaming. Hence, we can expect a more regular flow of movies in theaters.

After five years, the company will get more freedom to decide whether it wants to focus on theaters or shift its focus towards streaming. At the same time, the company's roughly $80 billion debt could also affect how much it spends on future movies and shows.

What happens to streaming prices?

With the new Paramount-Warner Bros. merger now finalized, another big question lies in whether the prices of the streaming bills will increase. Both HBO Max and Paramount+ are now under the same ownership, and there could be more options to bundle both services together.

Well, while that might sound convenient, especially for people who use both platforms, there could be a downside for those who only subscribe to one. A combined package could cost more, even though viewers might get access to a bigger library of shows and movies. Viewers could get more content in one place, but they might also end up paying more each month.

At the same time, a cheaper bundle could be useful for people who already pay for both services. Viewers could also see more bundles and fewer separate plans in the future.

CBS News and CNN face a new chapter

There's a possibility that the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger could also bring a big change to the journalism field under it. As reported, CBS News and CNN will now be under the same company. This leaves viewers wondering what this new setup will mean for both networks.

As reported before, according to the new deal, an editorial independence board will oversee journalistic standards at both outlets. It will also safeguard the journalistic principles and standards of both newsrooms.

Still, the question remains about how independent the newsrooms can remain when the same company controls both the ownership and the board.

A bigger library for the viewers

For viewers, the merger also means a much bigger library of shows and movies to choose from. Along with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., the new company will bring HBO Max, Paramount+, Comedy Central, Food Network, CBS, CNN, MTV, and many other networks under one roof.

Popular franchises like Mission: Impossible, Harry Potter, DC, Game of Thrones, Yellowstone, Nickelodeon, and Top Gun are part of its huge entertainment lineup, according to Variety.

It could affect the jobs of thousands

The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger also has a downside: according to CVL Economics for LA County, as reported by the BBC, 4,500 film and TV jobs could be lost over three years. The merger, at the same time, could also affect the many smaller businesses that depend on Hollywood productions. While the fund might help affected workers, layoffs could still happen.

Speaking of the impact on Hollywood workers, actress Kirsten Vangsness reportedly told the BBC that she was "heartbroken" by the merger. She added that the people who live and work in the city are the ones who make entertainment, adding that the deal could hurt the everyday creatives behind the industry.

Many might also wonder what will happen to Paramount and Warner Bros. now that the merger is officially finalized. As reported by Open Magazine, both studios will continue to operate. But Skydance will serve as the parent company.

Overall, the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger brings together a huge collection of shows, movies, and popular franchises. But the changes could be felt in a few areas. Streaming prices, the movies making it to theaters, and the news people watch could all see some changes.