Story perspectives

Paramount Secures $81B WBD Acquisition, DOJ Scrutinizes

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved the $31-per-share sale to Paramount, valuing the deal at $81 billion cash and $111 billion total debt.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar wealth funds pledged financing while the U.S. Justice Department reviews the merger.
Paramount CEO David Ellison says the company will keep operations separate, guarantee a 45-day theatrical window and release 30 movies annually despite opposition from thousands of actors, directors and writers.

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Story summary

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved the $31-per-share sale to Paramount, valuing the deal at $81 billion cash and $111 billion total debt.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar wealth funds pledged financing while the U.S. Justice Department reviews the merger.
Paramount CEO David Ellison says the company will keep operations separate, guarantee a 45-day theatrical window and release 30 movies annually despite opposition from thousands of actors, directors and writers.