Paramount is a worldwide media entertainment company. Remerged in December 2019 from sister companies Viacom and CBS, the company produces and distributes television and cable programming over its networks, including the flagship CBS broadcast network; a stable of basic cable channels, including MTV Networks, VH1, Nickelodeon, Country Music Television, Comedy Central and BET; a network of locally owned and affiliated CBS broadcast television stations; and various digital streaming video platforms, including its flagship Paramount+ service and Pluto TV. Paramount also produces and distributes theatrical films through its Paramount Pictures studio and owns a minority 12.5% share in the CW network. The company's businesses and trademarks also include the CBS television network, the Showtime cable network, CBS Television Distribution, and Paramount Pictures. ViacomCBS changed its name to Paramount Global on February 15, 2022.

After opening slightly higher on positive inflation news, the Nasdaq is down 1%, while the small-cap Russell 2000 is up 3%, a big move. The closely-watched Consumer Price Index outright declined during the month of June and is now running at an annual 3.0% pace, down 30 basis points from the rate through June. This is the lowest CPI rate since March 2021. On a core basis, excluding the impact of volatile food and energy prices, inflation also moderated month-over-month and is clocking in at 3.3% rate, down 10 basis points month-over-month.

Paramount Global operates in three global business segments: TV media, filmed entertainment, and direct to consumer. The TV media business includes television production studios and various broadcast and cable networks, including CBS, 15 owned CBS affiliates, Paramount, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, and VH1. Filmed entertainment consists multiple film studios, most importantly Paramount Pictures. The film studios produce and distribute movies that they license to movie theaters and other media outlets. Direct to consumer includes multiple streaming platforms, including Paramount+, which now includes Showtime, Pluto TV, and BET+. Much of the content on Paramount’s streaming platforms is created by the production studios housed within the firm’s other two business segments.

The Walt Disney Co. is a global entertainment company. The company owns and leverages well-known brands, ranging from Mickey Mouse and 'Frozen' to ESPN and ABC. Disney acquired the animated movie producer Pixar Animation Studios in 2006, comic book and movie producer Marvel Entertainment in 2010, 'Star Wars' originator Lucasfilm in 2012, streaming video technology platform BAMTech (now Disney Streaming Services) in 2017, the assets of 21st Century Fox in March 2019, and most of Hulu in May 2019. Disney derives 24% of its revenue from outside of North America and 12% from Europe.