Paramount Skydance has completed its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, forming a behemoth that includes two of the largest movie studios, streaming services, and a vast array of live sports and programming libraries.

The new entity, named Skydance, will combine the strengths of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, including the Paramount+ and HBO Max streaming services, CBS, CNN, and a diverse portfolio of brands and franchises. The merger is a significant consolidation in the entertainment industry, bringing together a treasure trove of content and distribution channels.

The deal had faced legal challenges, with a lawsuit filed by California and 11 other states alleging that the combination would substantially reduce competition and violate antitrust laws. However, a last-ditch effort to block the merger was rejected by Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, allowing the deal to proceed.

The post-merger company has taken the name Skydance, after the firm Paramount purchased last year. The settlement of the legal dispute, approved by US District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín, included provisions ensuring minimum film investment and release, as well as separate negotiations for distribution of basic cable holdings.

This merger is a clear statement of the entertainment industry’s trend towards consolidation, with the hope of achieving greater efficiency and reach. However, it also raises questions about the future of competition and diversity in media.