FWIW. I’m not really wild about their chances. This show of all shows is the one Paramount really didn’t want on their plate.
Paramount fumbled it pretty badly from the beginning, with it being a Nickelodeon (the channel) show, until it wasn’t.
And Netflix evidently didn’t care to commission more once they acquired the rights.
The chances are indeed slim, but considering the state of Paramount right now…sure, shoot your shot.
It’s interesting that they believe that they have leverage — and that it just might be the case.
Ellison suffered a setback that should not be underestimated when Taylor Sheridan unequivocally rebuffed Paramount’s offer to renew his first look contract. He has been Paramount+’s biggest content producer but flatly rejected a renewal, despite extensive personal courting by David Ellison and one of his senior people brought over from Skydance.
So, it’s not obvious that the kind of creatives that Ellison wants to work with will actually be willing to sign on with him. The Hagemans are significant creators in animation and Skydance’s animation studio is a major part of its business. They really are in a position to insist that on Prodigy renewal as part of any deal.
Counterpoint though, there is reporting that suggests Paramount+ has plans along the lines of Sheridan-type programming/audience chasing while focusing on some other broad genre types/audiences…but there’s no mention that they have any particular interest in animation here.
P+ has never struck me as a great place for animated fare anyhow.
The continuance of Paramount+ as a standalone streamer is entirely dependent on the delay of the merger. I would take anything the current management says with a certain amount of skepticism as they are having to carry on while the antitrust challenge is ongoing.
Ellison has been transparent that he is looking to consolidate the WB and Paramount streamers or at minimum restructure and retarget their content and audiences. He’s looking for synergies and in his justifications to investors regarding the merger, he’s specifically cited the intention for Paramount and WB to use Skydance’s animation studios.
I actually wonder in hindsight to what degree Paramount and Nickelodeon proactively shut down renewals with animation houses in anticipation of a deal with Skydance.
