Business
From early flop to Hollywood heavyweight, Skydance eyes Warner Bros takeover after 20-year rise – The Times of India
Two decades after debuting with a box office failure that drew harsh reviews, Skydance Productions is now poised to become one of the most powerful forces in global entertainment, with a proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery marking the latest chapter in its dramatic rise, according to news agency AP report.Founded in 2006 by David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, the studio began as a relatively obscure entrant in Hollywood. Its first film, Flyboys, a World War I drama starring Ellison himself, failed commercially and critically, prompting early doubts about the company’s future.Yet the studio steadily built momentum through partnerships, strategic financing and franchise-driven successes. Today, following its merger with Paramount and a fresh bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, Skydance stands on the verge of transforming into a media powerhouse spanning film, television, streaming and news assets.“It’s only a surprise to those who haven’t been paying attention to the long game,” said Walter Nicoletti, founder of film production company Voce Spettacolo. “This is a sort of a silent takeover. Skydance didn’t start as a predator. It started as an essential partner.”
From outsider to industry player
When Ellison launched Skydance at age 23, the company barely registered in Hollywood’s competitive landscape. Early criticism of Flyboys was scathing, with reviewers calling it “cloyingly formulaic” and an “inflated wannabe epic.”Despite setbacks, Ellison continued investing in large-scale productions and partnerships with major studios and platforms including Paramount, Netflix and Apple. Over time, Skydance produced a string of commercially successful films and series, culminating in the billion-dollar hit Top Gun: Maverick in 2022 starring Tom Cruise.Jason Squire, a former studio executive and emeritus professor at the University of Southern California, said Ellison’s rise reflected both persistence and financial backing.“One of the traditions of entering the movie business is serious wealth, or access to serious wealth,” Squire said, AP quoted. “But once you get a foothold, you have to demonstrate that wealth — by buying things, acquiring projects… They became a player.”He added, “He became a member at the table when these partnerships and the infusion of dollars really set him up on a really strong trajectory. It’s quite amazing.”
Expansion through mergers and deals
Rather than being acquired by a larger studio, Skydance ultimately became the acquirer. After years of collaboration, it merged with Paramount last year, gaining control of networks including MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and CBS.Since then, Ellison has expanded aggressively, securing agreements ranging from streaming rights for Ultimate Fighting Championship to partnerships with creators of the hit series Stranger Things.Netflix had also been viewed as a potential buyer of Warner Bros. Discovery, but Skydance ultimately emerged as the winning bidder after the streaming giant withdrew its offer. Regulatory approval remains the final hurdle.Tre Lovell, a Los Angeles media lawyer, described the company’s ascent as unprecedented. “This was absolutely a meteoric rise. Two decades from its formation to its current position to become one of the most powerful media companies in the world is nothing less than incredible,” he said.
A reshaped media landscape
If the Warner deal is finalised, Ellison would oversee an expansive portfolio including HBO, HGTV, Food Network and CNN, significantly expanding Skydance’s footprint across entertainment and news.The move also highlights shifting industry dynamics, with consolidation raising concerns among some executives about reduced competition. Squire said he was “no fan” of the takeover despite acknowledging Skydance’s remarkable trajectory.Warner Bros. enters the deal from a position of creative strength, having secured 30 Oscar nominations and a 21% domestic box-office share in 2025, compared with Paramount’s 6%.For Ellison, the transformation marks a striking reversal from the early days when the failure of Flyboys reportedly left him hospitalised with atrial fibrillation. Two decades later, the studio once dismissed as a vanity project now stands at the centre of Hollywood’s biggest power shift.“Hollywood has seen David-versus-Goliath moments before,” said Vikrant Mathur, co-founder of streaming company Future Today.
Two of the largest U.S. gym operators delivered the same headline in their latest earnings reports: strong growth.
But beneath the surface, Life Time Group Holdings and Planet Fitness told very different stories about the American consumer. They highlighted a widening divide between higher-income households that continue to spend freely and more price-sensitive consumers who are beginning to show signs of strain.
The Planet Fitness logo is seen on the outside of its gym at the Loyal Plaza in Loyalsock Township, Pennsylvania.
Paul Weaver | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Both companies reported double-digit percentage revenue growth, rising memberships and expanding footprints in 2025. Their respective outlooks for 2026, however, point to a “K-shaped” economy, a term used to describe a split in spending trends between higher and lower-income groups. Here’s what we learned.
Life Time: Affluent consumers keep spending
Life Time’s earnings reinforced that affluent Americans are still shelling out, especially on their health and wellness.
In the fourth quarter, the company’s total revenue rose 12.3% year over year to $745.1 million. CFO Erik Weaver attributed the increase to “continued execution in our centers,” including higher average dues and stronger utilization of in-center businesses.
The company, which operates large-format fitness clubs with amenities like pools, spas and cafes, increased membership dues last year by roughly $10 to $30 per member. The change did not slow demand — membership and engagement have continued to climb.
A growing share of Life Time’s revenue is coming from in-center spending, which topped $191 million in the fourth quarter. Members are taking full advantage of additional personal training, spa services and food and beverage as they treat the space as a lifestyle destination.
Average revenue per center membership was $882, up 10.8%.
“It’s a super engaged membership model instead of a non-use membership model,” said Life Time Group Holdings CEO Bahram Akradi. “We are basically operating at optimal levels of that right now.”
Despite having far fewer locations than Planet Fitness, the company generates significantly more revenue, underscoring the higher spending power of its customer base.
“The model proved its resilience throughout a macro-challenged 2025 in which in-center revenue grew,” said Mizuho analyst John Baumgartner. “And see downside risks limited by a memberships skew favoring high-income households and differentiated club activities.”
The results suggest higher-income consumers remain relatively insulated from broader economic pressures and continue prioritizing discretionary wellness spending.
Planet Fitness: Sales grow, but outlook disappoints
The strength area of the new Planet Fitness at 226 Harvard Avenue in Allston.
Pat Greenhouse | Boston Globe | Getty Images
Planet Fitness also reported strong growth, adding 1.1 million new members in 2025 and delivering double-digit percentage revenue gains.
Investors, however, focused on its outlook, which fell short of Wall Street expectations. The company projected slower fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 9% and weaker same-store sales than expected at 4% to 5%, which raised demand concerns.
However, Planet Fitness remained positive about growth, saying the anticipated pullback in membership was temporary.
“Our join trends were impacted by the storms and cold weather in late January across many of our markets, and we experienced a slightly higher cancel rate last month than anticipated,” said Planet Fitness CFO Jay Stasz. “Notably, recent attrition trends are returning in line with our expectations.”
Planet Fitness has also been testing price hikes in some markets, which it expects to fully roll out in summer 2026. It’s also investing in new amenities like red light therapy and additional classes to increase revenue per member and attract younger members.
That strategy could support long-term growth, but some analysts are skeptical, saying the “guidance gap” between Planet Fitness’ results and Wall Street expectations is particularly frustrating.
“The company now faces a credibility hurdle,” said Stifel analyst Chris Cull. “Is 2026 guidance conservative, or are the out-year targets unrealistic? Until the company provides a clearer path to acceleration, we expect the stock will likely churn.”
A softened 2026 outlook suggested some uncertainty about how much further its core customers can stretch their spending.
The widening consumer divide
Together the results highlight a broader shift in the U.S. economy.
Higher-income consumers, reflected in Life Time’s performance, continue to absorb price increases and spend on premium experiences. Meanwhile, Planet Fitness suggest even though price-sensitive customers are engaged, they’re more reluctant to spend.
That’s not a problem unique to fitness and has appeared across industries. Airlines are racing to build out luxury offerings as higher-income travelers continue to spend. Meanwhile, fast-food companies are leaning on value meals to attract more price-sensitive customers, reinforcing the idea of a K-shaped economy.
Planet Fitness’ performance in the coming quarters could serve as an indicator of how much discretionary spending capacity remains for lower- and middle-income consumers.
William Blair analyst Sharon Zackfia lowered her firm’s projections for Planet Fitness’ 2026 member growth to 800,000 from 1 million given projected weakness in the first quarter, which typically accounts for 60% of full-year sign-ups. Still, the guidance did not dampen the firm’s optimism about the company.
“We reiterate our Outperform rating and continue to view the brand’s long-term outlook as robust given its industry-leading low-price/non-intimidating club format,” said Zackfia.
For now the fitness industry is offering a clear signal: Consumer spending remains strong, but is increasingly divided.
The extremely tense situation in the region due to the joint attacks of the US and Israel on Iran has increased investment interest in gold and silver.
According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewelers Association, the price of gold per tola has increased by Rs 10,000 to Rs 550,562.
The price of 10 grams of gold in Pakistan has increased by Rs 8,574 to Rs 447,018.
Along with this, the price of gold in the global market has increased by $ 100 to $ 5,278 per ounce.
With an increase of Rs 388, the price of one tola of silver has reached Rs 9,862.
According to experts, due to the global economic situation and the increasing interest of investors in gold, price fluctuations are likely to continue.
Business
Gold Price Prediction For Monday: Iran-Israel War Boosts Safe-Haven Demand; Will Precious Metal Rise On March 2?
Last Updated:
Amid Iran-Israel war, analysts say gold and silver prices might see support on safe-haven demand as equities may remain volatile in coming week.
Gold Price Prediction For Monday, March 2.
Gold Price Prediction For Monday, March 2: Even as the Iran-Israel war has begun with missile exchanges on February 28, risk-off sentiment is spreading across global financial markets, pushing investors toward traditional safe-haven assets. Cryptocurrencies (which is the only market open during weekends) were the first to react, with Bitcoin falling nearly 5% to slip below the $64,000 mark after news of the conflict broke. Analysts say equities could remain volatile in the coming week as geopolitical uncertainty intensifies, a backdrop that historically supports gold prices.
Gold had already shown strong momentum ahead of the weekend. In the national capital, prices jumped Rs 1,800 to Rs 1,64,700 per 10 grams on Friday, according to the All India Sarafa Association, compared with Rs 1,62,900 per 10 grams in the previous session. The surge was driven by fresh buying from jewellers and stockists as investors positioned for global uncertainty.
Also Read: Nifty Prediction For Monday: Iran-Israel War Hits Market Sentiments; Gap-Down Likely On March 2
Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities, said gold rose amid mixed global signals, “as markets weighed escalating US trade protectionism and persistent tensions in the Middle East against a steady dollar”. He added that geopolitical friction and tariff-related uncertainty continued to support safe-haven demand, although a stable dollar and reduced expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts capped sharper gains.
Silver, however, moved in the opposite direction domestically. The metal declined Rs 2,500, or nearly 1%, to Rs 2,68,000 per kilogram from Rs 2,70,500 per kg previously, according to the association. In global markets, spot silver gained 1.6% to USD 89.72 per ounce, while gold traded marginally lower at USD 5,172.17 per ounce.
Gold & Silver Price Prediction: Safe-Haven Demand May Strengthen
Nachiketa Sawrikar, fund manager at Artha Bharat Global Multiplier Fund, believes the geopolitical escalation could intensify flows into defensive assets like gold and silver.
“A USA and Israel attack on Iran would likely trigger broad selling of risky assets across both the developed and emerging markets. We would expect the ongoing rally in USA Treasuries, oil, gold, and silver to extend.”
Typically, this pattern is observed during geopolitical shocks, when investors reduce exposure to equities and rotate capital toward commodities like gold and silver and sovereign debt.
Bullion markets remain closed on weekends in India as well as globally.
Gold & Silver Outlook For March 2
With global markets likely to open the week reacting to war developments, gold and silver’s trajectory on Monday will largely depend on three factors: escalation or de-escalation headlines from the Middle East, movement in the US dollar, and bond-yield trends.
If tensions intensify, safe-haven demand could push bullion prices higher. However, any signs of diplomatic engagement or a sharp rise in the dollar could limit gains.
For now, the broader bias remains supportive for gold and silver, with geopolitical uncertainty reinforcing its traditional role as a hedge during periods of global instability.
Market participants are also turning their attention to key macro triggers. Investors will closely track US Producer Price Index data and commentary from Federal Open Market Committee officials, both of which could shape expectations for interest-rate policy and influence bullion’s near-term trajectory. “Speeches from several Federal Open Market Committee members will also be closely watched for further insights, which may provide fresh momentum for gold,” he said.
Iran-Israel War
The US and Israel launched a major attack on targets across Iran on Saturday, and US President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to “take over your government” — an extraordinary appeal that suggested the allies could be seeking to end of the country’s theocracy after decades of tensions.
The first strikes of the attack appeared to target the compound home to Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran. It wasn’t immediately clear if he was there at the time. Smoke could be seen rising from the Iranian capital.
“For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries,” Trump said in a video posted on social media that sought to justify the attacks. He urged Iranians to take cover during the strikes, but then: “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.” The attack quickly expanded beyond Iran. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it responded by launching a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide warning was issued as the military said it bring down Iranian fire.
Meanwhile, Bahrain said that a missile attack targeted the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central. Explosions could be also be heard in Qatar.
Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace, and sirens sounded in Jordan.
The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, meanwhile, vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior Houthi officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement from the Houthi leadership.
(With inputs from agencies)
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February 28, 2026, 16:26 IST
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