David Ellison Announces New Leadership Team at Skydance Corp. for Film, Television, and Streaming
David Ellison, poised to lead the newly formed Skydance Corp., has unveiled the executive team that will guide the company following its merger with Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery. This strategic alliance, marking a significant consolidation within the entertainment sector, positions Skydance to become a formidable player in the industry landscape.
Ellison, who assumes the roles of chairman and chief executive officer, will be joined by Ynon Kreiz, the former CEO of Mattel, who will serve as co-CEO, commencing his role on Monday. Under this new corporate structure, the diverse divisions resulting from the merger—including prominent film studios, television networks, and streaming services—will report directly to both Ellison and Kreiz. This leadership arrangement is expected to streamline operations and enhance collaboration across the extensive portfolio of the merged entity.
The film division will be spearheaded by Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, both of whom previously served as co-chairs at Paramount Pictures. Importantly, leading figures from Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Pamela Abdy and Michael De Luca, will not transition to the new organization. Meanwhile, James Gunn and Peter Safran will continue in their capacity as co-heads of DC Studios, ensuring continuity within that segment.
In terms of television, George Cheeks, who previously chaired TV media at Paramount, now holds the position of co-chair and chief content officer of Skydance TV. Mark Thompson will maintain his role as CEO of CNN, further highlighting the strategic retention of key personnel during this transition.
Additional notable appointments include Casey Bloys, who will serve as co-chair and chief content officer of Skydance DTC streaming, and JB Perrette, who will oversee both Skydance TV and DTC operations. The full executive leadership team reflects a blend of experience from across the media landscape, aimed at leveraging the strengths of both legacy companies.
Earlier in February 2026, Ellison’s team finalized an agreement valued at 1 billion to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, a move that has garnered regulatory approval across 68 countries. The recent judicial endorsement of a settlement regarding antitrust concerns has paved the way for the merger’s completion.
As Skydance prepares to embark on this new chapter, CEO Ellison expressed confidence in the assembled leadership, expressing a vision for a creative-centric organization poised to redefine entertainment across multiple platforms. With the new company facing significant challenges, including an estimated billion in net debt, it remains to be seen how effectively the team will navigate the expanding demands of the global media landscape.
The common stock of Skydance Corporation is expected to commence trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “SKYD” on Tuesday, October 6, marking an essential milestone in this corporate evolution.
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