At the latest edition of CinemaCon, David Ellison surprised the industry by unveiling Paramount Pictures’ new directive following its merger with Warner Bros. The executive assured that the studio will release at least 30 films per year and that each production will have a 45‑day exclusivity window in theaters before being made available on other platforms.
This strategy reinforces Paramount’s commitment to exhibitors in a landscape where major studios are re‑evaluating the window between theatrical release and streaming arrival. Additionally, the titles will remain three months on paid video‑on‑demand before joining the Paramount+ catalog. Meanwhile, Skydance is awaiting regulatory approval to complete the purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, which, if finalized, will combine the two giants and result in the integration of the Paramount+ and HBO Max platforms. The acquisition, officially announced on February 27, includes a payment of $31 per Warner share, with additional quarterly payment clauses and a $7 billion penalty if the deal is blocked by regulators.
Authorities, such as the California Attorney General, have already launched investigations into the deal, while Paramount has committed to paying a $2.8 billion termination fee related to Netflix. The industry’s future promises significant changes in how movies reach audiences.
