THE BRIEF

Paramount-Warner Bros Merger Closes

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery completed a $110 billion merger creating Skydance.

Photo: Forbes

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸The merger creates a combined entertainment company rebranded as Skydance. — Axios, Forbes
▸David Ellison becomes one of most powerful figures in culture and business through deal. — Axios
▸Combined company houses three major movie studios and two global streamers. — Axios
▸Skydance plans to merge HBO Max and Paramount+ into one unified streamer. — Axios
▸Skydance signals HBO Max and Paramount+ brand names may remain distinct. — Forbes

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Christiane Amanpour announced she will leave CNN in June after 43 years.

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸Amanpour has been with CNN for 43 years. — The A.V. Club, Los Angeles Times Entertainment & Arts
▸Her departure comes after David Ellison's Skydance took control of CNN. — The A.V. Club, DW
▸CNN head Mark Thompson personally appealed to Amanpour to stay during months of high-stakes talks. — The Daily Beast

Actor Richard Riehle, known for Office Space and The Fugitive, died at age 78.

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸Richard Riehle appeared in Office Space and The Fugitive. — Los Angeles Times Entertainment & Arts, Forbes
▸Riehle starred in more than 400 screen projects. — The A.V. Club
▸Riehle's credits include Bridesmaids and Star Trek. — Los Angeles Times Entertainment & Arts

Netflix laid off its head of film Dan Lin following the streamer's major layoffs the previous week.

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸Dan Lin was Netflix's head of film. — The A.V. Club, Los Angeles Times Entertainment & Arts
▸Lin was the second big executive to leave Netflix. — Los Angeles Times Entertainment & Arts

Jon Stewart will remain at The Daily Show through 2028, it was announced.

WHAT'S REPORTED

▸Jon Stewart will remain as The Daily Show host through the 2028 presidential election. — The A.V. Club, Los Angeles Times Entertainment & Arts
▸Stewart returned to The Daily Show in February 2024. — The A.V. Club