Skydance names new distribution chiefs as eight senior executives exit post‑merger

Skydance has appointed Sarah Bergman and Mickey Carter to lead its distribution arm after the merger that formed the new company. The move was outlined in a memo from Ray Hopkins, Skydance’s president of distribution, which also said the new leaders will shape their teams in the coming weeks. Eight senior staff members are set to leave: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Rivka Golomb, Kelly Kane, Jeff Cross and Rich Palermo, along with Paramount’s David Comisar, Kurt Davis, Deena Demasi and Ken Kay. Jeff Cross will stay on as a senior advisor, while his duties shift to Paramount EVP and deputy general counsel for distribution, Rick Baker. The memo also listed seven other Paramount and Warner Bros. executives to take key roles under Bergman and Carter, though their names were not disclosed. Distribution focuses on securing deals with cable, satellite, TV stations and streaming platforms to carry the company’s content. The merger, valued at $110 billion, combined Paramount‑Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery under the Skydance banner, now led by David Ellison, who aims for at least $6 billion in planned savings while managing roughly $80 billion in combined debt. Bergman currently serves as executive vice‑president of networks and streaming distribution for Warner Bros. Discovery; Carter is the executive vice‑president of U.S. distribution for Paramount. Last month the firm offered a one‑time voluntary buyout to staff. Annual filings suggest the combined entity will have about 53,000 employees. ## Context The distribution unit is vital for getting movies and shows onto TV and streaming services, and the massive debt from the $110 billion merger is pushing Skydance to cut costs and streamline leadership to stay competitive in a rapidly changing Hollywood landscape.