Overview
- Netflix announced a roughly $82–83 billion plan to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, including HBO and the Warner film library, subject to review.
- Paramount Skydance launched a hostile, all-cash offer valuing WBD at about $108.4 billion that targets the entire company rather than select assets.
- CEO David Ellison called the cash bid superior and urged WBD shareholders to weigh it, arguing it offers greater approval certainty than Netflix’s proposal.
- A consumer, Michelle Fendelender, filed an antitrust lawsuit in the Northern District of California seeking to block Netflix’s acquisition, and extensive U.S. review is expected.
- Industry guilds and exhibitors warned the Netflix deal could weaken theatrical windows, while Netflix’s Ted Sarandos said Warner’s movies would continue to open in cinemas.