
Credit Risks: Top S&P Global Ratings Analyst Breaks Down the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
From Strictly Business by iHeartPodcasts
June 5, 2026 · 18 min
About this episode
Naveen Sarma discusses the implications of the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger and the associated credit risks.
The proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is approaching completion, but concerns around debt, execution risk, and long-term industry volatility loom large. Naveen Sarma, sector lead for U.S. media and telecom at S&P Global, breaks down the opportunities and potential pitfalls ahead for the company, and he explains why S&P Global downgraded Paramount Skydance's credit rating after it clinched the WBD deal agreement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Guest: Naveen Sarma
Topics covered
- mergers
- credit ratings
- media industry
- debt concerns
- business analysis
Keywords
- merger
- credit risk
- S&P Global
- Paramount
- Warner Bros. Discovery
- debt
- media
- telecom
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: S&P Global, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Skydance
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