Leading Global Media and Entertainment Companies Partner
February 26, 2025—Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery announced today with Howard Hughes Holdings a plan to form a new joint venture to develop Summerlin Studios — a 31-acre world-class production facility anchoring a planned 100-acre mixed-use development in Las Vegas, Nevada. The implementation of the companies’ plans is dependent on the passage and approval of Assembly Bill 238.
Summerlin Studios will initially feature multiple stages and related buildings, capabilities and infrastructure, which will be supported by Warner Bros. Discovery’s and Sony Pictures’ commitment to hundreds of millions of dollars in combined content spend each year, for the life of the program—in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars the studios will jointly invest in the construction of studio production infrastructure. It is anticipated that the Summerlin Studios project, which includes an adjoining mixed-use commercial village, will create tens of thousands of new jobs for Nevadans and have an annual economic impact of more than $3 billion.
Under AB 238, sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui and co-sponsored by Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Daniele Monroe-Moreno, film infrastructure transferable tax credits for Summerlin Studios would become available July 1, 2028.
To receive tax credits, the bill requires construction on the Summerlin Studios project to be completed by the time tax credits are earned and have a capital investment of at least $400 million.
The measure is expected to be amended to reflect details associated with this joint venture announcement. AB 238 is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday, February 27, in the Assembly Revenue Committee.
“We are the entertainment capital of the world, and there is no better example of that than this partnership between two of the world’s major film and television studios,” said Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui. “The investments Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Howard Hughes expect to make, in terms of infrastructure, education and workforce development, could create nearly 18,000 jobs and produce a whole new industry in Nevada.”
“We are excited to work with Sony Pictures and with Howard Hughes to bring large- and small-scale film and TV productions to Nevada,” said Simon Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery. “We are approaching this legislative session convinced now more than ever that expanding to Nevada provides us with our ideal third production hub, and we are committed to providing direct benefits to the state, educational programs and institutions, and the next generation of Nevadans looking to work in the thousands of different jobs needed to support a steady stream of productions.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Warner Bros. Discovery to our strong partnership with Howard Hughes as we join forces to establish critical, first-of-its-kind studio production infrastructure, and build and operate a new studio facility,” said Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman Tony Vinciquerra. “Along with Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui and Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Daniele Monroe-Moreno, and our strong community partnerships, this unique and powerful collaboration will lay the foundation for a thriving film and television production industry in the Silver State.”
“This is a game-changing partnership as two global industry titans have come together to facilitate a transformational project for the film industry and Nevada’s economic landscape,” said David O’Reilly, Chief Executive Officer of Howard Hughes. “Sony Pictures and Warner Bros.’ selection of Summerlin reflects the community’s infrastructure, amenities, safety, and community development expertise that are unrivaled in the state of Nevada. The new proposed legislation will create new high-paying jobs that will strengthen and diversify the state’s economy for generations to come.”
“No state is better suited for this partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Howard Hughes,” said Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Daniele Monroe-Moreno. “At a time when Nevada’s unemployment rate remains unacceptably high, and as we seek to diversify our economy so Nevadans can get back to work, we have an incredible opportunity to take a step forward and deliver on our commitment to build an economy that works for Nevada families.”
Media Contacts:
Warner Bros. Discovery: megan.klein@wbd.com
Sony Pictures Entertainment: SPE_Press@spe.sony.com
Howard Hughes Holdings: cristina.carlson@howardhughes.com