Hours after the deal was approved, David Ellison and his leadership team took the scene 1515 Broadway in New York City to discuss the topic that everyone in the media has talked to for months: the future of New Paramount.
There is a reason for the curiosity: much is to ride about Ellison and CO. Can turn over a time when the media goes through a broader industry shake. Between the future of Paramount+, its ability to overload its franchises and if it can compete with some of the larger players in the area, there are still many questions about the fate of the company.
Many of Paramount’s broad plans are described in a Open letter from chairman and CEO Ellison Like a press conference on Thursday morning that included Thewrap. But follow A heated question and answer About the FCC regulations and CBS’s appointed Ombudsman, the company’s leaders opened a little more about their plans for the company.
Top news:
- Paramount+ and Pluto TV will be consolidated on the technology side, with an aggressive goal already 12 months. Platforms will remain separate for now.
- Paramount reviews its property portfolio, including a potential sale of national entertainment. Its legendary party in the Hollywood and CBS Broadcast Center in New York are safe.
- Paramount plans to “Supercharge” its relationship with NFL, a stock partner through Joint Venture, Skydance Sports.
- Ellison has already met important talent Tyler Perry and Taylor Sheridan
- “South Park” mastered as a cherished show
- MTV and Comedy Central still have value but will lean to Digital – “The Daily Show” and Stewart are safe for now
- Three new films confirmed to join 2026 Paramount Slate
Consolidation of Paramount+ and Pluto TV
Ellison revealed in an open letter on Thursday that New Paramount will unite the technology stack which runs Paramount+ and free, AD-supported Streamer Pluto TV. This consolidation would happen on backend, with the two streaming services that continue to function separately, at least for now. The association – which the company has proclaimed will lead to better performance and financial savings – will take place over the next 12 to 18 months. Specifically, Ellison said they will strive for 12 but it is likely to be 18.
When it comes to whether the two platforms will ever be combined, it is not on the table right now. However, Ellison seemed open to the opportunity depending on Streamer’s performances in the coming months.
David Ellison has already met Tyler Perry and Taylor Sheridan
The ink is not even dry, and Ellison has already met some of the biggest names in Hollywood. The CEO has taken meetings with Tyler Perry, who previously expressed interest in buying bets and who has a deal with the network until 2028, as well as “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, whose Paramount store also goes to 2028.
“South Park” is “Bellwether” for IP rights
When asked how he is considering investing in Paramount IP versus Licensing of Hot Real Estate to Competitors, Ellison told a group of reporters that “South Park” is “Bellwether” for how the company is thinking about and prioritizes IP rights. Ellison also criticized other media companies for being too quick to sell or license valuable IP.
“We will always see to create long -term value in the future and want to be at the forefront of it,” Ellison said under questions and answers.
Earlier this summer“South Park” creator Matt Stone and Trey Parker reached an agreement of $ 1.5 billion with Paramount which renews the iconic series for five years and 50 episodes. Despite the huge price tag, that deal was less generous than the 10-year period Stone and Parker are shot according to information for And the big pay day was not enough to prevent the duo from Slamming the company and Trump.
Still, it seems that no one is too angry. Ellison highlighted the “South Park” agreement in his Open letter on Thursday.
Property sales: Times Square and Ed Sullivan Theater on the block
Company President Jeff Shell told Thewrap during Thursday’s media briefing that Paramount Lot in Los Angeles are among the properties that are likely to be safe from possible sales – a turnaround after rumors of selling the party showed up last year – as well as the CBS Broadcast Center on 57th Street in New York City because of its infrastructure. But many other assets are “on the table” for review, such as National Amusements’ portfolio of cinemas and Paramount’s Times Square Headquarters in New York City.
Fate of Ed Sullivan -Theater also remains an open question because New Paramount’s TV/Media chairman George Cheeks told reporters discussions ongoing about a programming exchange for “The Late Show” when Stephen Colbert’s show ends 2026.
The NFL partnership is a priority
Ellison noted that the company is ready to “Supercharge” its relationship with the NFL. A media story that many missed is that NFL is now a shareholder in Paramount through its partnership with 50-50 Joint Venture, Skydance Sports. Although the two organizations have a strong relationship and both new Paramount and NFL seem interested in technical and streaming innovations, Ellison emphasized that it is important to him that their current NFL games remain wage wall -free. So while Paramount+ will stream games in local markets, a Paramount+ exclusive game has not yet been discussed.
“There is no more important partner for us than the NFL, and our point of view is that we want to be in business with the NFL for the foreseeable future,” Ellison said under questions and answers.
MTV and Comedy Central still have value, especially Jon Stewart
Jeff Shell, the new Paramount president, told Thewrap that there are no plans to spin the company’s cable resources. But Shell took it a step further and noted that there is still a lot of value in both MTV and Comedy Central and pointed to network labels such as VMA and the “The Daily Show.” However, it is unlikely that the future of these brands will continue to live only in the linear space. Shell floated the idea of expanding them to become more digital assets.
This point was also made by Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer Andy Gordon under Q&A: “We have major brands, in terms of MTV, Comedy Central, etc, that there is probably a place outside the linear world where these brands are and can be invested in and flourish.”
Put your comedy fear of resting. Jon Stewart is safe right now. Shell said: “‘The Daily Show’ is a major driver on cable,” which is remarkable in these tough times for the platform.
3 new films confirmed for 2026
The movie slate for next year is thin. Studio Insiders told Thewrap that three previously unconfirmed films that are deep into the post -production are now planned to be released in 2026.
The first is “Heart of the Beast”, a survival thriller from “Suicide Squad” director David Ayer with Brad Pitt as an army special forces veterinarian who has to survive in Alaskan Wilderness with his retired fighting dog after a flight accident. In the lead role in JK Simmons and with Damien Chazelle as the executive producer, it will mark Pitt’s first film since he put a new career high at the checkout with Apple’s “F1.” Insiders noted that film output agreements are planned to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Other Two Films are a pair of Horror Projects from Paramount’s Production Deal With 18Hz, The Company Founded by Forms DC Movies Chief Walter Hamada After His Exit From The Superhero Label: “Primate,” A movie Star “Coder” Oscar Winner Winner Winner Winner Winner Winner Winner Wainer “Oscar Winner Winner Winner Wainer” Oscar Winner Winner Wainer “Oscar Winder Wainer” Oscar Winder Wainer “Oscar Winder Wainer” Oscar Winder Wainer “Oscar Winder Werks” Oscar Winder Wesur’s “Codin Werks. Welcome to Raccoon City ”), and an untitled Project from André Øvredal, Director of“ Scary Stories to tell in the darkness.
Also: Colbert has tremendous commitment (but it comes from Youtube)
According to Shell, Stephen Colbert’s overall audience commitment is similar to what CBS saw when “The Late Show” belonged to David Letterman. The big difference is that a majority of Colbert’s commitment comes from Youtube, a medium that is not almost as profitable as linear TV.
When asked how much money Colbert, CBS cost George Cheeks, chairman of TV media, to give a concrete figure, but reports have set the number about $ 40 million per year.
“What I have to say is that the figures have been significant, in tens of millions of dollars. At the end of the day, it was not sustainable,” Cheeps said under questions and answers and doubled its previous comments. He also explained the time why Colbert was interrupted. CBS AXED “The Late Show” days after Colbert called Paramount’s solution of $ 16 million with President Trump “A big fat bribe.”
“We were at a period, from a production point of view, where every year, seasonally, it is when we negotiate new offers for writers and producers. In addition, this would be the third season of Colbert’s three -year business,” Cheks explained. “To make these offers, we would have to change the conditions from what we traditionally was, which is September to August, to September to May. So it is incumbent on me and us to make it clear to Stephen and his reps that it was what we would do.”
And by the way: David Ellison sees Netflix and Youtube as the future of streaming
Ellison has made a lot of sound about improving the technology behind Paramount+ and Pluto TV. On the question of which streams have impressed him in space and what he might try to emulate Ellison insisted that the company did not try to copy any other streamer’s strategy. But he pointed to Netflix and Youtube as clear leaders in space.
He also emphasized that how more traditional media companies have contacted Strövning in the past have been wrong. In this environment, Ellison emphasized, it is not enough to hold on to valuable assets and hope the audience will come to you. But at the same time, he noted that few people consume entertainment longer based solely on brands. As he did in his open letter and under questions and answers, the new Paramount headed a strategy that both will be disturbing from a technological perspective while being talent and creative forward.
Jeremy Fuster contributed to this story.
