July 3 (Reuters) - National Amusements has reached a
preliminary deal to sell its controlling interest in Paramount
Global to Skydance, three sources familiar with the
matter told Reuters.
    Shari Redstone's National Amusements re-engaged with the
David Ellison-led production studio after abruptly ending deal
talks last month, while fielding takeover interest from other
interested parties.
    Here are the key events leading up to the preliminary deal:

 Year        Events
 December    CBS Corp and Viacom merge to form ViacomCBS,
 2019        combining media mogul Sumner Redstone's media
             units 13 years after a split. ViacomCBS would be
             later renamed as Paramount Global
             
             ViacomCBS acquires a 49% stake in film studio
             Miramax from BeIN Media Group for $375 million
 September   ViacomCBS rebrands a CBS streaming service as
 2020        Paramount+ and launches it in international
             markets
             
                         Sells CNET Media Group to Red
             Ventures for $500 million
 November    ViacomCBS agrees to sell CBS Studio Center for
 2021        $1.85 billion to private firms
 February    ViacomCBS changes its name to Paramount Global
 2022        
 December    Chief executives of Warner Bros Discovery and
 2023        Paramount reportedly in talks over a potential
             deal between the two companies
 January     Skydance CEO David Ellison reportedly explores an
 2024        all-cash bid to acquire Paramount parent National
             Amusements
 January     Media entrepreneur Byron Allen submits a $30
 2024        billion offer for Paramount, including debt and
             equity 
 March 2024  India's Reliance Industries agrees to buy
             Paramount's entire 13.01% stake in local
             entertainment network Viacom18 Media for about
             $517 million 
 March 2024  Apollo Global Management reportedly offers to buy
             Paramount Pictures film studio for $11 billion
 April 2024  Paramount's board reportedly agrees to enter into
             exclusive merger talks with Skydance
 April 2024  Paramount replaces CEO Bob Bakish with an office
             of CEO comprising CBS President and CEO George
             Cheeks, Paramount Pictures studio chief Brian
             Robbins, and Chris McCarthy, head of Showtime,
             MTV and other networks
 June 2024   Edgar Bronfman Jr, former chairman of Warner
             Music, reportedly expresses interest in buying
             Paramount's controlling shareholder National
             Amusements
 June 2024   Shari Redstone abruptly ends talks with Skydance
 July 2024   Barry Diller's digital media conglomerate IAC
             reportedly explores bid for Paramount and enters
             into non-disclosure agreements with National
             Amusements
 July 2024   National Amusements reportedly reaches a
             preliminary deal to sell its controlling interest
             in Paramount to Skydance
 
 (Reporting by Priyanka.G and Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru; Editing
by Shailesh Kuber and Sriraj Kalluvila)