Paramount Global and Skydance Media have reached a preliminary agreement to merge, according to multiple reports. The deal comes after negotiations between the two parties collapsed last month. Paramount Global's shares surged on the news, with some analysts estimating a potential value of around $2.4 billion for the transaction.
The merger would combine Paramount Global, which owns CBS and MTV among other assets, with Skydance Media, an up-and-coming movie studio that produced hits like 'Top Gun: Maverick.' The deal is expected to be backed by investors including RedBird Capital Partners and David Ellison.
However, the agreement still needs to be approved by a special committee of Paramount Global's board of directors. Shari Redstone, who controls Paramount through her stake in National Amusements, has reportedly favored her position in previous negotiations and this could lead to potential lawsuits.
The longer negotiations have dragged out, the less value some assets may have for Paramount Global. For instance, the company is reportedly in talks to sell BET for around $1.6 billion-$1.7 billion.
Skydance Media had previously proposed a merger deal with Paramount Global in April but talks fell apart in May without an agreement being reached.
The media landscape and regulatory climate are expected to play a role in the outcome of the deal, as well as Paramount Plus streaming service's performance. The companies have not yet commented on the reports.