• New owners plan to raise annual film output from 8 to 15—and eventually to 20—as flagship slate anchors.
• Rather than shedding, the company will revitalise Nickelodeon, MTV and BET as integral to its broader storytelling and streaming approach.
What happened: Post-merger push for films and cable revival
At a media event on the Paramount Pictures lot, newly appointed President Jeff Shell, alongside Chairman and CEO David Ellison, unveiled the new strategy in the wake of the $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. Paramount will increase its annual film production significantly—from eight this year to 15 “very quickly,” with an aspirational target of 20 films annually. The upcoming slate balances franchise fare—like “Star Trek” and “Transformers”—with family-oriented originals, exemplified by James Mangold’s “High Side” starring Timothée Chalamet.
Simultaneously, Paramount will retain and develop its stalwart cable brands—including Nickelodeon, MTV and BET—rather than treat them as expendable legacy assets. These networks will serve as cultural touchstones and content pipelines, particularly BET, which had previously been considered for sale. Ellison also emphasised emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence as tools to amplify storytelling for filmmakers .
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Why it’s important
In an era when many media conglomerates are divesting cable networks—such as Warner Bros Discovery and Comcast—Paramount’s approach marks a desire to synthesize traditional media strengths with a fresh creative vision. By doubling down on theatrical film output, the company signals confidence in cinema’s enduring appeal and the ecosystem it supports. The strategy also aligns with broader industry moves, like Paramount’s exclusive UFC streaming deal and deeper investment in Paramount+ original content.
This dual strategy underscores a new “best of both worlds” model: leveraging cable’s established cultural brands while betting on a theatrical-driven content renaissance. It may serve as a template for how legacy entertainment companies navigate the streaming disruptor landscape—preserving heritage brands, while investing heavily in premium, event-style theatrical offerings.
