Tony Blair Named Skydance Adviser After Paramount-Warner Bros. Megadeal

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been appointed as an adviser to Skydance's board following the finalization of the studio's blockbuster merger with Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The new Hollywood giant, rebranded as Skydance, will control streaming app HBO, the Harry Potter franchise, and news channels including CNN and CBS. David Ellison, son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, serves as chief executive and chairman. The deal was confirmed Tuesday after a California judge last month approved a settlement between Paramount and a dozen US states that had threatened to block it on competition grounds. Skydance's new board also includes Laurene Powell Jobs and former Activision boss Bobby Kotick. The merged entity carries an $80 billion debt load, with significant layoffs and cuts expected. Larry Ellison, worth an estimated $193 billion, provided a $40 billion personal guarantee and funding for the deal.