David Ellison Underwhelms Warner Bros. Executives in First Meeting

The Paramount Skydance CEO, David Ellison, and Paramount COO Andy Gordon met with about 200 Warner Bros. executives at the Steven J. Ross Theater on the Burbank lot as questions swirl around a hostile acquisition and the Middle East funds backing the $110 billion deal.

Ellison offered mostly introductory remarks and high praise for storytelling, dismissed talk of mass layoffs and reiterated a promise to release 30 films theatrically between the two studios. One executive responded, "We don't believe him," while another said, "It was good there were no surprises." He also said there was no intention to overhaul CNN and stressed that teams from Paramount+ and HBO Max would work together to optimize both services.

Ellison came across as well-spoken and genuine, careful not to make major decisions on the spot. Warner Bros. leadership knows Paramount is eyeing at least $6 billion in cost cuts, yet little is clear on where reductions would fall.

United States, Burbank

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