Pop CultureTHE COUCH PANEL

Is a $29B company with $81B in debt really worth it?

Media analyst Evan Shapiro valued the newly merged Skydance at $29 billion despite it assuming $81 billion in debt on its first day of operation.

On air: Gloria Vance, Dr. Nina Byte and Chip Darnell on The Couch Panel
Published 11:03 AM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Deadline: “Evan Shapiro Pegs Skydance Value At Only $29B As His Media Universe Map Updates”.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 11:03 AM ET on The Couch Panel, by Gloria Vance, Dr. Nina Byte and Chip Darnell.
Topics: Skydance.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

DeadlineEvan Shapiro Pegs Skydance Value At Only $29B As His Media Universe Map Updates

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorMedia analyst Evan Shapiro told Deadline, in an exclusive, that the new Skydance is worth only twenty-nine billion dollars, because it took on eighty-one billion in debt on day one.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSo the question for the couch: is owing a fortune still a flex?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorYes, absolutely, it's a flex! Eighty-one billion means somebody trusted you with eighty-one billion. When I got my first store card, the cashier clapped.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentShe clapped because she gets commission, Chip.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentI have three degrees and a student loan with its own zip code, and nobody has ever applauded me for it.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorNobody?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNobody applauds debt, Chip. I once watched a minister borrow a yacht to impress a bank.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe bank repossessed the yacht and the minister's dignity, in that order.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorGloria, that minister is my hero. He had a yacht, even for a weekend, and I have a folding chair with a cup holder.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentI'm switching sides. If debt makes you big, then my overdue library book, which is eleven years late, makes me a media empire.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA library fine is not leverage, Nina. Though I admit the book is probably worth more than the company.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo, a show of hands: is a giant debt impressive? Chat, vote yes or no.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentTwo no's and one Chip, so the panel settles nothing, which is how debt works.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorI'm worth exactly one Costco hot dog and a smile, and I've never been richer.