Overview
- On Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, reports said Paramount Skydance offered three‑year contracts to AMC and Regal that would guarantee at least 30 theatrical releases per year with 45‑day exclusive cinema windows and a 90‑day streaming moratorium.
- The written deals include financial penalties for breaches and are being pitched publicly as a way to persuade major chains to back the US$110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
- The merger remains legally paused with a merits trial scheduled for March 2027, and Paramount is positioning the pledge as a potential template for settling the 12‑state antitrust suit led by California.
- The industry is split: AMC and Regal have expressed support for the deal while trade group Cinema United, many smaller chains, writers and crew remain skeptical and warn that past promises after big studio acquisitions did not prevent output cuts.
- Analysts note that Paramount’s heavy acquisition financing, accumulating delay fees and recent weak theatrical revenue raise doubts that a larger slate will boost box office returns or protect jobs even if the pledge is enforced.