DOMINANT ANGLE
Brasília is questioning the Paramount-Warner merger through the prism of power: the Folha describes a Hollywood that "surrenders to Trump", while the Estadão details synergies and financial calendar.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Deal valued at 110 billion dollars (approximately 548 billion reais), concluded on Tuesday, October 6; SKYD stock listed in New York (Folha, Estadão).
- 02
Skydance promises 30 films in two years and then 32 over three years, compared to 11 films from Warner and 9 from Paramount last year (Folha).
- 03
The group aims for at least 6 billion dollars in recurring synergies over three years and a net leverage of three times by the end of 2029 (Estadão).
ANALYSIS
Brasília, October 7, 2026. Brazil's government is following the birth of Skydance in a Hollywood that is aligning with Trump. According to reports, the merger was finalized on Tuesday, October 6: the studio, owned by David Ellison, which is absorbing the owner of DC heroes, "Looney Tunes," and Harry Potter, announced that the group would bear the name of its original company, created in 2006 and which has controlled Paramount since last year.
Brazil's media recalls Ellison's promise: 30 films in the next two years, then 32 in the following three years. The newspaper considers this figure high, given that Warner released 11 films last year and Paramount released nine. However, American researcher Amanda Lotz estimates that annual production could decline, with waves of layoffs set to continue. The deal, valued at $110 billion (approximately 548 billion reais), was concluded in February after Ellison's victory over Netflix, against a heavily indebted studio.
The newspaper also relays criticism: "there are voices saying that the link between Paramount and Donald Trump must subordinate part of Hollywood to the president's desires and reduce creative freedom." The concern for theaters and market concentration, already raised by the scenario of a union with Netflix, remains a priority.
Brazil's economic section adopts a more accounting tone. Paramount has completed the purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery after regulatory approvals, creating one of the world's largest media groups, which brings together two major studios, Paramount+ and HBO Max, CBS News, CNN, as well as the sports rights of CBS Sports and TNT Sports. WBD shareholders received $31.01 per share in cash; Skydance's Class B shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SKYD.
The newspaper cites the company: unanimous approval from competition authorities in nearly 70 jurisdictions, annual revenue of nearly $70 billion, at least $6 billion in recurring synergies over three years, more than $10 billion in available cash flow by 2030, and a net debt ratio reduced to three times by the end of 2029. The pro forma investment in content exceeds $30 billion.
Thus, two readings coexist in the Brazilian press: one political, focused on creative independence in the face of the White House, the other financial, focused on the execution of the integration.
