Leadership Team Set as Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Nears Close

David Ellison is laying out who will run the combined company once the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger closes.

Ellison, who is chairman and CEO of the merged company made the announcement in a joint statement on Monday (Oct. 5) with co-CEO Ynon Kreiz — just hours before the deal is expected to close.

The two said the combined company will be called Skydance, bringing the Paramount and Warner Bros. businesses under one massive corporate umbrella.

The plan outlines leadership roles across film, TV, streaming and news, including the executives who will oversee BET, HBO Max, Paramount+, CNN and CBS News.

Related: NYC Mayor Calls Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger a ‘Monument to Corruption’

Ellison will focus on the company’s long-term strategy and creative direction, along with talent relationships, technology, strategic partnerships and capital allocation. Kreiz will handle day-to-day management and the integration of the combined media giants.

“Together, Paramount and Warner Bros. will form a creative-first home with the scale, imagination and technology to define entertainment for a generation,” Ellison said in a statement.

Ellison founded Skydance Media with backing from his father Larry Ellison, the billionaire co-founder of Oracle. The younger Ellison purchased Paramount for $8 billion, with the deal closing in August 2025.

The $110 billion Warner Bros. acquisition is expected to close on Oct. 6.

Andy Gordon will serve as president of the combined company, working with both executives on strategic priorities.

George Cheeks will co-lead the newly formed Skydance TV division as co-chair and chief content officer. His responsibilities include Warner Bros. Television Studios, CBS Studios and Paramount Television Studios, as well as the CBS broadcast network, 27 local television stations, the company’s global sports group, and 50 cable networks including BET, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, HGTV, Food Network, TBS, TNT and Discovery.

Casey Bloys will oversee original programming for HBO Max and Paramount+, along with strategy, operations, communications and performance across the company’s streaming platforms.

JB Perrette will serve as co-chair and chief business officer of both the television and direct-to-consumer divisions.

Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein will serve as co-chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group. Together, they will oversee Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros.

James Gunn and Peter Safran will continue as co-chairmen of DC Studios, leading the superhero brand’s film, TV and other entertainment projects.

Mark Thompson will continue to run CNN as chairman and editor-in-chief of CNN Worldwide, and Bari Weiss continues as editor-in-chief of CBS News. Both will report directly to Ellison and Kreiz.

A complete list of the combined executive leadership team will be released soon after the acquisition closes.

Enterprise Leadership
David Ellison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Ynon Kreiz, Co-Chief Executive Officer

CEO Corporate Leadership Team
Andy Gordon, President
Dennis Cinelli, Chief Financial Officer
Makan Delrahim, Chief Legal Officer and President, Global Corporate Affairs
Dane Glasgow, Chief Product Officer
Rebecca Mall, Chief Marketing Officer
Melissa Zukerman, Chief Communications Officer

CEO Business Leadership Team
Casey Bloys, Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance DTC
George Cheeks, Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance TV
Dana Goldberg, Co-Chair, Skydance Motion Picture Group
Josh Greenstein, Co-Chair, Skydance Motion Picture Group
James Gunn, Co-Chairman of DC Studios
JB Perrette, Co-Chair & Chief Business Officer, Skydance TV
Peter Safran, Co-Chairman of DC Studios

CEO News Executive Leadership Team
Mark Thompson, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of CNN Worldwide
Bari Weiss, Editor-in-Chief of CBS News