Hollywood
Paramount to release first 2 films digitally under flexible distribution plan
MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures announced the home entertainment release dates of the first two films in the studio’s digital revenue-sharing initiative with theatrical exhibitors. Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse and Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension will debut on digital platforms for sale and rental beginning 8 December and 15 December, respectively.
Under the revenue-sharing agreement with select theatrical exhibitors, the films were eligible to be released on home entertainment platforms 17 days after they dipped below 300 domestic theaters, giving consumers unprecedented early access to enjoy the movies at home following their theatrical runs. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension was released in theaters on 23 October and Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse was released on 30 October.
“This innovative agreement with exhibitors enables us to make these two films available to home viewers much earlier than usual, following their natural lifecycle in theaters. This flexible distribution model allows us to maximize the revenue potential of these films, satisfy consumer demand through legitimate digital access, while respecting and preserving an exclusive theatrical window,” said Paramount Pictures president of worldwide distribution and marketing Megan Colligan.
Exhibitors participating in the initiative – including AMC Theatres, Cineplex Entertainment, National Amusements, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Southern Theatres and Landmark Cinemas – will receive a percentage of any of the studio’s digital revenue for the period of digital availability through 90 days from the initial US theatrical release, with each exhibitor’s share proportional to its theatrical gross market share.
Hollywood
WBD sets April 23 vote on $110bn Paramount Skydance merger
Investor approval key step, but regulators loom over mega media deal
NEW YORK: Warner Bros. Discovery has set April 23 as the date for shareholders to vote on its proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, marking a crucial step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
The all-cash transaction offers WBD shareholders $31 per share, a hefty 147 per cent premium to its unaffected stock price, signalling strong intent to push the deal across the finish line. The company’s board has unanimously backed the merger and is urging investors to vote in favour.
Even if shareholders give the green light, the deal is far from done. Regulators in the United States and Europe are expected to scrutinise the merger closely, weighing concerns around competition and potential price impacts for consumers.
To keep investors on side, WBD has built in a safety net. If the deal is not completed by September 30, shareholders will receive a quarterly “ticking fee” of $0.25 per share until closure.
The proposed merger would significantly reshape the media landscape, combining the assets of Warner Bros. Discovery with those linked to Paramount Global and Skydance Media. It would also cement the growing influence of David Ellison, who has been steering Skydance’s aggressive expansion strategy.
“The WBD Board has been guided by the singular principle of securing a transaction that maximises the value of our iconic assets and delivers as much certainty as possible to our shareholders,” said Warner Bros. Discovery board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr.. “This historic transaction will expand consumer choice and create new opportunities for creative talent.”
Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive officer David Zaslav added that the company is working closely with its counterpart to close the deal and unlock value for stakeholders.
With investor backing likely but regulatory hurdles ahead, the proposed merger is shaping up to be a defining moment for the global entertainment industry, where scale, content and competition are increasingly intertwined.
