Hollywood
Relativity, LAMF ink 5-year co-financing & production deal
MUMBAI: After claiming to have received a fresh infusion of funds to the tune of $100 million, Relativity Media has now entered into a five-year agreement to co-finance and co-produce films with LAMF LLC (Los Angeles Media Fund).
As per the terms of the deal, LAMF will have a limited first look at Relativity Studios’ upcoming slate of feature films.
Under the terms of the partnership, Relativity Studios and LAMF will co-produce and co-finance films to be distributed domestically and internationally by Relativity Studios. The deal follows a co-financing and co-production deal reached by Relativity and LAMF in 2014 for the psychological thriller, The Disappointments Room, directed by D.J. Caruso and starring Kate Beckinsale, set for theatrical release in 2016.
Relativity Studios president Dana Brunetti said, “Relativity and LAMF share a common vision for creating great content. We are thrilled to work more closely with them as Relativity embarks on an exciting next chapter.”
LAMF co-CEO Jeffrey Soros added, “Kevin’s and Dana’s experience and track record as a producing team in creating highly entertaining and commercially successful movies, coupled with Relativity’s new ambitions and distribution capabilities, offer LAMF an exciting platform for collaboration. We look forward to working together on a number of projects to create truly compelling films.”
The partnership with LAMF comes after Relativity earlier this month announced plans to acquire Kevin Spacey and Brunetti’s Trigger Street Productions.
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.
