# Skydance Controls Paramount and WBD

> Skydance merger creates $80bn debt and layoffs after Paramount-WBD unification.
- Title: Skydance Controls Paramount and WBD · Adweek | Shortify
- Summary: Skydance merger creates $80bn debt and layoffs after Paramount-WBD unification. Skydance, formed by merging Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, faces $80…
- Keywords: skydance, paramount, wbd, warner bros discovery, merger, layoffs, debt, consolidation, Controls, Adweek
- Source: Adweek — https://adweek.com/dealroom/layoffs-on-the-way-as-skydance-now-controls-paramount-and-wbd
- Author: Mark Mwachiro
- Published: 2026-10-06T15:44:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: skydance, paramount, wbd, warner bros discovery, merger, layoffs, debt, consolidation
## Skydance merger completes
David Ellison merged Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery under Skydance, creating a new conglomerate.
## Paramount and WBD assets unified
Paramount Studios, Warner Bros. Studios, HBO, HBO Max, Paramount+, CBS, and other linear channels now fall under one umbrella.
## WBD initially sought Netflix acquisition
WBD tried to acquire Warner Bros. Studios from Netflix in early 2026 but was wrestled away by Ellison.
## Skydance offers $31 per share
Paramount provided a $31 per share all-cash bid to WBD, which WBD called a 'superior' offer.
## Lawsuits blocked merger temporarily
State attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America sued to block the merger, which was settled in September with production guarantees and editorial independence.
## Skydance faces $80bn debt and layoffs
The new conglomerate has $80 billion in debt and will cut staff to pay it down, as Ellison and Kreiz acknowledged future workforce changes.
## Key takeaway

Skydance, formed by merging Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, faces $80 billion debt and workforce cuts to consolidate operations.