Paramount-Skydance CEO David Ellison Is Championing Movie Theaters First Over Streaming

Dan Lalonde
Aug 13
2 min read

What blockbuster movies have you seen at the movie theater this summer? Keeping theaters alive is as important to the film business as low-fat yogurt is to Rudy Giuliani's Mayoral campaign.

Paramount-Skydance CEO David Ellison and President Jeff Shell met with the media in Los Angeles on Wednesday to discuss several issues, including streaming films and box office windows. Ellison said he wants to "Restore Paramount as the No. 1 studio for filmmakers and talent in the world”.

When asked by Variety if Shell is looking for the same deal he brokered as NBCUniversal CEO with AMC and Cinemark to put films on PVOD 17 days after theater release, Shell responded:

“Do I believe you can maximize value in windows? Absolutely, and we’re going to be looking at our windows across the board. I don’t think each movie is created equal. Different movies deserve different windows. Theatrical is critical and has to be part of the equation, but we’re going to be much more diligent about looking at the value.”

Ellison agreed, saying "There was no debate" whether streaming films were as important as the theatrical model. The studio's biggest hit this summer is 'Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning', which is the kinda cinematic popcorn film that should be a crime not to see on the biggest screen possible.

Cindy Holland, the head of Streaming for Paramount, was stronger in her views. “Streaming movies are not a priority for me.”

Would Jake Gyllenhaal's "Road House" have been as big a success in movie theaters as on Amazon Prime, where they broke records with 50 million views in its first two weekends? Probably not, but for movies shot on IMAX and film, it's great that watching blockbuster films in the theater remains a Paramount precedence. Comment below with your thoughts.