Story perspectives

Cinema United's O'Leary Opposes Major Film Merger, Calls for Theatrical Window

4/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Michael O'Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, opposed Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger at CinemaCon on April 14, 2026.
He argued the merger would harm theaters and consumers by concentrating power among fewer distributors.
O'Leary urged a minimum 45-day exclusive theatrical window, citing Disney's 62-day average as a model.
He noted consolidation could reduce the number of films for theaters and cited support from over 1,000 Hollywood figures.

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Story summary

Michael O'Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, opposed Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger at CinemaCon on April 14, 2026.
He argued the merger would harm theaters and consumers by concentrating power among fewer distributors.
O'Leary urged a minimum 45-day exclusive theatrical window, citing Disney's 62-day average as a model.
He noted consolidation could reduce the number of films for theaters and cited support from over 1,000 Hollywood figures.