David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz Name Executive Team for New Skydance Entity

The $111 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery officially closed today, October 6, 2026, marking the birth of a unified media entity operating under the Skydance name. The completion of the deal follows a multi-year consolidation process.

On October 5, 2026, David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz announced the CEO Leadership Team that will steer the conglomerate. Ellison assumes the role of Chairman and CEO, focusing on the company’s creative direction and overarching strategy. Kreiz will serve as Co-CEO, overseeing day-to-day management, operations, and the integration of the legacy assets. Andy Gordon has been named President of Skydance.

The new leadership team aims to integrate diverse IP portfolios into a single cohesive operation.

Content and Creative Leadership

The new structure retains several high-profile creative leaders while consolidating the company’s streaming and studio divisions. Casey Bloys will serve as Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer of Skydance DTC. In this capacity, Bloys is tasked with overseeing original programming for both HBO Max and Paramount+, as the company begins managing its combined streaming footprint.

The specialized film and television units will see continuity in their creative ranks. James Gunn and Peter Safran are confirmed to remain as Co-Chairmen of DC Studios, maintaining their leadership over the DC Universe projects currently in development. This move signals a preference for creative stability within major IP franchises during the broader corporate transition.

News Division Realignment

The Skydance leadership has also finalized the hierarchy for its global news operations. Mark Thompson will continue his role as Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of CNN Worldwide. Meanwhile, Bari Weiss has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of CBS News, clarifying her role within the newly consolidated news infrastructure following various industry reports regarding her title.

The executive team under Ellison and Kreiz will oversee the transition of the company's news and entertainment assets.

Executive Departures and Financial Context

The closure of the deal marks the end of several high-level tenures. David Zaslav, formerly the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, and CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels are exiting the company as the new leadership team takes over. Their departure comes as Skydance prepares to navigate a complex financial landscape, including the management of approximately $80 billion in debt inherited through the merger.

While the corporate branding of Paramount and Warner Bros. as parent entities is being retired in favor of the Skydance name, the individual studio labels and streaming platforms are expected to continue functioning under the new centralized management structure. The leadership team is now tasked with integrating the technology and IP portfolios of the three former companies into a single cohesive operation.

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