The entertainment industry is abuzz with the news of the agreement between Paramount and Skydance for a merger. CNBC’s David Faber reported on Monday that the two companies have finally come to terms after weeks of negotiations. The deal, which is expected to be announced in the coming days, involves David Ellison’s Skydance, supported by private equity firms RedBird Capital and KKR.
Under the terms of the agreement, Skydance would acquire nearly 50% of class B Paramount shares at $15 each, totaling $4.5 billion. Additionally, Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount, is set to receive $2 billion for National Amusements. Skydance and RedBird would also inject $1.5 billion in cash into Paramount’s balance sheet to aid in debt reduction. Post-merger, Skydance and RedBird would have a combined ownership of two-thirds of Paramount, with the class B shareholders retaining the remaining third.
Interestingly, the deal will not require a vote from the shareholders, which distinguishes it from the earlier negotiations. The value of the deal has risen from an initial $5 billion offer to a substantial $8 billion. The revised terms are a win for Redstone, who would have received less than $2 billion under the previous arrangement. The class B shareholders are also benefiting from a higher buyout price of $15 per share, compared to the earlier $11 per share.
Apart from the merger deal, Paramount has witnessed significant leadership changes in recent times. Bob Bakish stepped down as CEO in late April, paving the way for the “Office of the CEO” to take over. The current leadership structure comprises George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins, who are all set to present the company’s strategic priorities at the upcoming annual meeting.
Prior to the agreement with Skydance, there were competing offers from Apollo Global Management and Sony Pictures, who expressed interest in acquiring Paramount for around $26 billion. However, Redstone’s preference for keeping Paramount intact led to her favoring the merger with Skydance, as opposed to the potential breakup proposed by Apollo and Sony.
The Paramount and Skydance merger is a significant development in the entertainment industry that is set to reshape the landscape of the sector. With the deal expected to be finalized in the coming days, all eyes are on the implications it will have on Paramount, Skydance, and the industry as a whole. Stay tuned for more updates on this transformative merger.