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Warner Bros. Discovery Rejects Three Paramount Skydance Bids, Presses for Higher Offer

Reports indicate David Ellison plans to retain DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn with Peter Safran if a sale is agreed.

Overview

  • CEO David Zaslav told employees the board turned down three unsolicited Paramount Skydance proposals and is seeking a richer bid, with the latest at $23.50 per share after an initial $20 offer.
  • The company continues its strategic review and is weighing alternatives that could include spinning off cable networks from the studios and streaming business next year if no sale occurs.
  • Bloomberg reports that Ellison intends to keep existing creative leadership across the studios, including DC Studios’ co-CEOs, should a transaction move forward.
  • Ellison’s prospective plan would streamline back-office functions by consolidating marketing and distribution and by combining HBO Max with Paramount Plus.
  • He is also targeting up to 30 films annually for a combined operation and exploring AI to expand output, with all such plans contingent on a finalized deal and regulatory clearance.