"Paramount Global's Cable Carriage Talks with Charter: A Key Factor in Skydance Transaction"

Paramount Global is in the final stages of negotiating a crucial carriage agreement with Charter Communications, which will significantly impact its ability to generate free cash flow. Meanwhile, the company is also in talks with Skydance Media for a potential sale, with reports suggesting a complex deal involving Paramount acquiring Skydance in an all-stock transaction. The negotiations with Charter come at a challenging time for Paramount, as it faces financial pressures and struggles with its traditional cable brands amid the industry's shift to streaming. Charter is expected to push for reduced fees and distribution for Paramount channels, potentially impacting the company's revenue.