Overview
- Paramount Skydance chief David Ellison met French President Emmanuel Macron, Culture Minister Rachida Dati, and leading film executives in Paris as he pushes a $108.4 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Ellison also held talks in London with UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and engaged with European Commission officials, according to reporting on the meetings.
- A Delaware Chancery Court judge rejected Paramount’s request to fast-track its disclosure lawsuit over Warner Bros. Discovery’s $83 billion Netflix agreement, slowing Ellison’s legal pressure campaign.
- Paramount’s $30-per-share all-cash tender offer remains open with a self-imposed Jan. 21 expiration, as the company courts shareholders and readies for a proxy battle.
- In discussions with European industry figures, Ellison emphasized maintaining robust theatrical release windows and operating both studios, while regulators in the U.S. and Europe scrutinize both proposed transactions.