The Powers That Be: Daily The WBD-Ellison Enigma
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Nov 7, 2025 Kim Masters, a veteran entertainment journalist, dives into the heated bidding contest for Warner Bros. Discovery. She discusses why insiders back the Ellisons of Paramount Skydance, despite skepticism about their promises. Hollywood worries over consolidation, AI, and Ellison's track record. The conversation explores potential buyers like Comcast, Netflix, and Amazon, and the possibility of splitting Warner's assets. Masters also highlights the industry's mixed feelings toward the Ellisons, caught between excitement and wariness.
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Skepticism Over Ellison's Studio Vision
- Hollywood is skeptical that the Ellisons will run Warner Bros and Paramount as two full theatrical studios.
- David Ellison's promise to make 15 movies a year at each studio strains credibility given recent layoffs and costs.
Ellison Family Backing At Paramount
- Larry Ellison backed David at Paramount, fronting capital while saying he didn't love Hollywood.
- That history fuels Hollywood's awkward mix of attraction to money and distrust of Ellison's motives.
Multiple Buyers, Multiple Strategic Fits
- Multiple buyers could target different parts of Warner Bros Discovery, splitting studios, streamer, and linear assets.
- Comcast, Netflix, and Amazon each offer distinct strategic fits and risks for theatrical distribution and theme-park synergies.