Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer recently expressed his support for the stalled merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which is set to head to an antitrust trial in March 2027. Feltheimer believes that resolving the uncertainty surrounding the merger is essential for the industry.
The Importance of Closure in the Industry
During Lionsgate’s quarterly earnings call, Feltheimer emphasized that “uncertainty is the worst thing for our business,” noting that both delays and ambiguity negatively impact everyone involved. Though Lionsgate competes with Paramount’s Skydance and Warner Bros. in several areas, Feltheimer also views these companies as valuable customers, making a swift resolution to the merger desirable.
Investment in Content
Feltheimer highlighted his confidence in David Ellison, mentioning their past collaboration on the series “Manhattan.” He stated, “I can tell you that I was super impressed with him. He loves content.” He believes that Ellison’s commitment to investing significantly in content will bolster the future of both companies. A more financially robust streaming service—whether it’s Paramount+ or another platform—would benefit Lionsgate in terms of original programming and library sales.
Collaboration Opportunities
Feltheimer noted that Lionsgate has already sold a new television show to Paramount and is exploring additional collaboration opportunities with both Paramount and HBO. He remarked, “We hadn’t been doing that much with Paramount. We hadn’t been doing that much with HBO,” signifying a potential for growth in partnerships. He is already in discussions about co-financing feature films, which he believes would be advantageous for both Lionsgate and the broader industry.
A Competitive Marketplace
Feltheimer concluded with optimism, stating, “the more movies that are in the marketplace, while it’s competitive, it’s good as the rising tide moves all boats up.” He reiterated his support for the merger, stressing that his primary concern is to eliminate uncertainty and expedite the process, which he sees as beneficial for everyone involved.
