Skydance closes $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition as Poland reviews TVN ownership
Paramount Skydance finalized its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on 6 October 2026, uniting major US media assets and prompting a state security review of TVN in Poland.
The 110 billion dollar consolidation
Paramount Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on 6 October 2026 in a transaction valued at 110 billion dollars, forming a merged entity operating as Skydance. The combined conglomerate unites Hollywood film studios Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures, streaming platforms HBO Max and Paramount+, and television networks including CBS, HBO, Discovery Channel, Eurosport, Nickelodeon, and MTV. The deal also brings news networks CNN, CBS News, and Polish commercial broadcaster TVN SA under unified ownership. David Ellison leads the company as chief executive officer alongside co-CEO Ynon Kreiz.
Technology strategy and operational changes
The new management announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence tools throughout the combined organization, drawing on executives with backgrounds at Google, Facebook, and Scale AI. During a press conference on Tuesday, Kreiz stated that Skydance will use technology to streamline workflows, strengthen creative production, and develop consumer engagement tools. Redundant streaming platforms and administrative departments face restructuring. Ross Benes, a senior analyst at eMarketer, told CNN that corporate assurances of technological modernization serve as an indicator of upcoming job reductions. In a leaked recording of an internal address to employees, Ellison spoke about the transition ahead.
Combining two companies of this size and complex structure will require difficult decisions.
Ellison added in the address that the company does not intend to maintain the status quo, but rather to build the future.
Polish government review of TVN ownership
The acquisition transfers indirect control of Polish television network TVN and its news channel TVN 24 to Skydance. The Polish government placed TVN on its protected entity list in December 2024 under the 2015 investment control act. Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun announced that the ministry will conduct an administrative proceeding to evaluate whether the transaction poses risks to national security or public order in Poland once a formal filing is received.
- Scripps Networks Interactive acquires Polish broadcaster TVN
- Polish government places TVN on the list of protected strategic investments
- Paramount Skydance completes $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery
Ministry spokesman Przemysław Kuk stated that the new owner has 90 days to submit the post-transaction notification. If the review yields an unfavorable finding, the ministry holds legal authority to order the divestment of TVN SA shares within a designated timeframe. Media analyst Marek Sowa described the takeover as the birth of a new balance of power across Hollywood and American broadcasting.
Political responses and editorial outlook
The transaction prompted reactions from political figures in Washington. Speaking to reporters prior to a flight to Maryland, Donald Trump praised the completed agreement.
It is a wonderful merger. I am glad it was allowed.
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had previously voiced support for Ellison taking control of CNN. In Poland, media researcher Krzysztof Grzegorzewski of the University of Łódź identified potential outcomes for TVN, noting that a sharp rightward shift in programming could cause significant viewership losses, while Grupa ZPR founder Zbigniew Benbenek stated that he anticipates further investment in Poland rather than a divestment of TVN.
