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tinrobot

(12,038 posts)
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 07:54 PM Thursday

Paramount to acquire Warner Bros.

Netflix has declined to increase its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery after the David Zaslav-led media company’s board declared Paramount Skydance’s new bid a “superior proposal.”

Per a statement from the streamer, “Netflix, Inc. today announced that it has declined to raise its offer for Warner Bros. Netflix had earlier received notice from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) that its Board of Directors has determined Paramount Skydance’s (PSKY) latest proposal constitutes a “Superior Proposal” under the terms of WBD’s existing merger agreement with Netflix.”

“The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval,” Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said in a joint statement. “However, we’ve always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid. Warner Bros. is a world-class organization, and we want to thank David Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Bruce Campbell, Brad Singer and the WBD Board for running a fair and rigorous process. We believe we would have been strong stewards of Warner Bros.’ iconic brands, and that our deal would have strengthened the entertainment industry and preserved and created more production jobs in the U.S. But this transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price.”

The statement continued: “Netflix’s business is healthy, strong and growing organically, powered by our slate and best-in-class streaming service. This year, we’ll invest approximately $20 billion in quality films and series and will expand our entertaining offering. Consistent with our capital allocation policy, we’ll also resume our share repurchase program. We will continue to do what we’ve done for more than 20 years as a public company: delight our members, profitably grow our business, and drive long-term shareholder value.”


Link:
https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/netflix-declines-raise-bid-warner-bros-discovery-1236674149/

Paywall free:
https://removepaywalls.com/https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/netflix-declines-raise-bid-warner-bros-discovery-1236674149/

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Initech

(108,350 posts)
5. This is so disgusting. What an embarrassment.
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 08:38 PM
Thursday

Fuck David Ellison, fuck Jared Kushner, fuck Muhammad Bin Salmon. May they all rot in hell for this.

C_U_L8R

(49,229 posts)
8. Paramount to acquire a mountain of debt and disfunction
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 08:46 PM
Thursday

While Netflix walks away with $2.8 billion pure profit kill fee. Well played Netflix, well played.

fujiyamasan

(1,487 posts)
11. Yeah that's why Netflix stock shot up today after they announced it
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 08:51 PM
Thursday

Nicely played by Netflix.

tinrobot

(12,038 posts)
12. Yep. Netflix is playing the long game.
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 09:24 PM
Thursday

Paramount will have to dismantle what they won in order to service that massive debt.

Meanwhile, thousands of layoffs will happen at WB/HBO/CNN/etc. They'll become a shell of what they once were.

I suspect in 5-10 years, Netflix will be able to buy what remains of Paramount/WB for pennies on the dollar.

videohead5

(2,922 posts)
10. Goodbye CNN
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 08:50 PM
Thursday

Like CBS news they will go down the toilet. Look for an exodus of on-screen talent and reporters.

WSHazel

(674 posts)
13. Democrats should announce that this deal will be reviewed
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 09:49 PM
Thursday

After the next election. Send the message to the markets that this deal will not survive a Democratic administration.

angrychair

(12,055 posts)
17. Once this closes
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 10:47 PM
Thursday

Billionaire right wing extremists will officially own most of social media, including TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and a huge chunk of news media. A huge chunk of newspapers.

Oh and the largest provider of voting machines in the country.

All right before the midterms and the next presidential election.

This is the nightmare scenario.

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