Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global have held early talks about merging according to multiple media reports.
Warner CEO David Zaslav and Paramount CEO Bob Bakish met this week in New York to discuss a possible deal.
The meeting was first reported by news site Axios, citing multiple sources. It said Zaslav had also spoken to Shari Redstone, who owns Paramount’s parent company National Amusements.
Talks between Warner and Paramount are still at an early stage, and may not ultimately result in a deal, according to the Axios report.
A deal would bring together two of Hollywood’s “Big Five” studios, with Warner and Paramount’s combined market value standing at $38bn (£30bn).
The chief executives reportedly discussed how each company’s main streaming service, Paramount+ and Max (formerly HBO Max), could merge to better take on rivals Netflix and Disney Plus.
AT&T’s WarnerMedia and Discovery completed their merger last year to become Warner Bros Discovery. The company’s portfolio includes Warner Bros. movie studios, Discovery Channel, Warner Bros. Entertainment, CNN, HBO, Cartoon Network, streaming services Discovery+ and Max.
Paramount’s assets include its movie studio, broadcast network CBS, cable channels such as MTV and Nickelodeon, and streaming service Paramount+.
Channel 5 rebrands linear and streaming platforms
The UK’s Channel 5 and My5 have relaunched as 5, uniting the broadcaster’s linear and streaming platforms under one brand.
Comcast agrees $3bn Olympics rights and technology deal
Comcast NBC Universal has agreed a $3bn deal that will keep its NBC network and streaming platform Peacock as the US homes of the Olympic Games through 2036.
BBC leads nominations for RTS Programme Awards 2025
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has revealed the nominations for its Programme Awards 2025, which take place on March 25 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
BBC secures TV rights for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland international football
The BBC has agreed an exclusive deal to broadcast Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland men’s international football matches in the run-up to the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026.
Shadowbox Studios hires Mike Mosallam as Chief Operating Officer
Global studio operator Shadowbox Studios, the owner of Atlanta’s Shadowbox Studios in the US and Shinfield Studios in the UK, has appointed Mike Mosallam as its first Chief Operating Officer.
