The Forbes report put the merger into perspective, noting that this new company controls New Line Cinema, DC Studios, Paramount Animation, Warner Animation Group, and, of course, Skydance Media. In streaming, the company will have control of HBO Max, Paramount+, Pluto TV, Discovery+, BET+, and many other smaller companies. In terms of TV networks, Skydance controls CBS, HBO, TNT, TBS, HGTV, the Food Network, the Discovery Channel, the Cartoon Network (including Adult Swim), Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and BET.
In terms of the news — and this is the most distressing part of this merger — one company now oversees CNN, CBS News, and “60 Minutes.” I won’t get into the details here, other than to remind readers that several major news companies have been capitulating to the current capricious presidential administration, so there is a dark cloud over the potential political leanings and money-backed interests of all the above media.
In terms of sporting events, this new company will also have most of it. CBS Sports and TNT Sports will be under the same umbrella, and this new company will have, it is presumed, exclusive contracts with organizations like the NFL, and will be broadcasting NCAA March Madness, Big Ten games, SEC football and basketball, and PGA Tour events.
If you’ve been looking forward to a crossover between Batman and “Star Trek,” then maybe you’re excited about the super-merger. If, however, you’re an ordinary media consumer in the modern world, you may be chilled to realize that one man is controlling your information and entertainment. John Oliver blasted Paramount’s Warner Bros. takeover on “Last Week Tonight.”
Fingers crossed things turn out okay overall.
