Paramount chief visits Warner Bros. lot to meet with senior executives

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison met with Warner Bros. Discovery executives March 10, 2026, on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California, as the companies move toward a proposed $110 billion merger expected to close later this year.

About 200 senior executives from across Warner Bros. Discovery attended the session, representing divisions including the Warner film and television studios, HBO and HBO Max.

Paramount leadership has projected at least $6 billion in cost savings from the merger, raising concerns among Warner Bros. Discovery employees about potential layoffs. Company representatives have recently emphasized that much of the savings would come from non-personnel reductions.

Executives who attended the meeting described the event as measured and largely informational to The Hollywood Reporter. One attendee said the session’s primary goal appeared to be avoiding missteps, noting there were no moments comparable to past corporate town halls that drew staff criticism.

Another executive described the presentation as “perfunctory,” saying Ellison delivered broad remarks but avoided detailed discussion about layoffs.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav joined Ellison onstage and introduced him to attendees. The two also acknowledged CNN journalists covering the war in Iran.

Ellison delivered prepared remarks and answered roughly a dozen questions submitted anonymously by executives. During the discussion, he referenced legal restrictions tied to the pending merger that limit what he can say about strategy or future decisions.

Some attendees responded positively to Ellison’s comments, particularly his emphasis on theatrical releases. One executive said Ellison highlighted theatrical distribution more strongly than Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos did during a meeting with Warner Bros. Discovery leadership in December 2025.

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Attendees said Ellison discussed topics ranging from storytelling and HBO programming to sports rights and financial models, as well as the importance of maintaining distinct identities for Warner Bros. Discovery’s brands.

The event had fewer mentions of plans for other WBD assets, such as its linear cable networks, though the event’s locale may have contributed to its heavier focus on film.