Ankler Agenda Emergency Pod! Paramount-WBD Chaos: The Settlement, the Layoffs, the Superstreamer
10 snips
Sep 22, 2026 
Lesley Goldberg, an entertainment journalist focused on television and scripted programming, joins an urgent breakdown of the Paramount Skydance–WBD settlement. They examine the fine print, possible Miramax divestiture, writer protections, studio lots and looming layoffs. They also explore whether a Paramount+–HBO Max superstreamer can challenge Netflix, and what happens to the combined company’s sprawling cable empire.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Film Quota May Change Very Little
- Paramount and Warner Bros. must release 30 films annually for two years, then 32 for three years.
- Sean McNulty argues this mostly preserves existing output and expires by 2032.
The Antitrust Deal Barely Touches Cable Power
- The agreement addresses cable negotiations and theater revenue splits, but not the core concern about concentrated cable ownership.
- Theater fees remain flat for only three years, while cable negotiations must stay separate.
Miramax Is A Weak Structural Remedy
- Miramax would be divested only if Paramount fails its film commitments, making divestiture a penalty rather than an initial structural remedy.
- Paramount owns just 49% of Miramax, limiting the concession’s significance.