WBD Acquisition Thread

[Moe]

Due to moderator issued off topic warning, I think that is best interest to create a separate thread to discuss about those acquisition, including hostile takeover and whichever company buy linear TV asset. That would allow to compare between Netflix and Skydance (Paramount) without cross between two threads.

Remember, this thread is all about acquisition related, if you want talk about WB or Paramount that is no relation to acquisition, please take to WB or Skydance (Paramount) thread, depending on topic.

I'm going to take few quotes from other thread.

They would have been better off launching a music streaming service under the MTV brand.

They should be done at much earlier like back in 2000s. MTV drifted too much for around 30 years and they lost the recognition by many people who grew up with MTV in 1980s.

The closest thing to that in their hands right now is Last.fm.

But I just don't trust Skydance's executives to know what they're doing due to their handling of the recent international closures.

Yeah, I'm seriously doubt that Skydance would doing well with linear brand assets and close the network would be most straightforward option for Skydance.

I do think that MTV would fail miserably if they tried to rebrand as music streaming.

Bring 24/7 music back to MTV wouldn't save further, so it may get so-so rating and later, it become low rated channel that is warranted for closure.

Shareholders are waiting and if Skydance didn't perform well with WBD, so shareholders and investment groups DEMAND for cost cutting measures and Larry Ellison tell David Ellison to take it, so David Ellison run the chainsaw to cut all linear networks into pieces. Toozone forum revolt over aggressive cost cutting measures that destroy the Looney Tunes.

I'd even say Bakish-era people working together with Sony Pictures TV & Sony Music executives have a better chance of pulling off a reinvigoration of the MTV brand on linear, streaming, and beyond.

Of course, that option would be more desirable than Skydance's run.

 

[John Pannozzi]

At least Netflix doesn't want CNN.

 

[zakawer2]

At least Netflix doesn't want CNN.

Because they're only going after the streaming and studios division (Warner Bros.) that doesn't include CNN to begin with. If Netflix succeeds in acquiring that (or if no acquisition of any part of Warner Bros. Discovery happens anyway), then CNN will be managed by the global networks division (Discovery Global) alone.

Won't be the case if Paramount, a Skydance Corporation succeeds in buying Warner Bros. Discovery, however.

 

[TVArchive]

Is Paramount not interested in acquiring the channels (Discovery Global) if Netflix wins?

At least then they could change CNN in their favor

 

[zakawer2]

Is Paramount not interested in acquiring the channels (Discovery Global) if Netflix wins?

At least then they could change CNN in their favor

If Netflix buys Warner Bros., then I simply don't see Paramount buying Discovery Global. Can't do much with Discovery Global's TV channels when you don't also have the legendary IPs of Warner Bros. to back them up.

 

[Daikun]

I simplified the thread title because it's quite a mouthful.

 

[Moe]

I simplified the thread title because it's quite a mouthful.

Thank you and I'm not good with titling the thread.

Is Paramount not interested in acquiring the channels (Discovery Global) if Netflix wins?

At least then they could change CNN in their favor

The linear TV asset alone is very risky investment and Skydance would be loser if they bought linear TV asset.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Still worried about Netflix's WB acquisition not going through, just because of Ellison's pessimism and our greedy mob boss president who wants to spread propaganda by making Paramount buy WBD.

 

[Insidus]

More interesting read by NYP, apparently some shareholders are open to a Paramount buyout then again WBD is run a company that renamed HBO Max three times Paramount Skydance now playing the waiting game to upend Netflix’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery: sources

 

[Daikun]

@Insidus I moved your post to this thread. Please keep the acquisition-related posts in this thread, please.

 

[Insidus]

Or I got it why not turn this thread into M&A thread rather than a Warner thread

edit: Does this mean Paramount has a shot Trump Indicates He’s Really Not Into Netflix Buying WB, Wants To Stop The Streamer’s So-Called “Cultural Takeover”

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Does this mean Paramount has a shot Trump Indicates He’s Really Not Into Netflix Buying WB, Wants To Stop The Streamer’s So-Called “Cultural Takeover”

Don’t listen to anything that corrupt president says.

 

[zakawer2]

Does this mean Paramount has a shot Trump Indicates He’s Really Not Into Netflix Buying WB, Wants To Stop The Streamer’s So-Called “Cultural Takeover”

Not necessarily. If the U.S. president does not support the acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix (even if it is for reasons beyond the scope of this website), that does not necessarily mean he supports Paramount's bid to acquire all of Warner Bros. Discovery either.

Anyway, here's an official website from Paramount on their proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery if you haven't already seen it:

Paramount to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery | Building a Stronger Hollywood

Paramount to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, forming a next-generation global media company. 30+ films annually, full theatrical windows, HBO independence.

www.strongerhollywood.com

 

[the greenman]

Does this mean Paramount has a shot Trump Indicates He’s Really Not Into Netflix Buying WB, Wants To Stop The Streamer’s So-Called “Cultural Takeover”

He's reminding me more and more of what we know of ole' Teddy Roosevelt with the monopolies.

December 09, 2025

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: They have a very big market share. And when they have Warner Bros., you know, that share goes up a lot. So, I don’t know. That’s going to be for some economists to tell, and also — and I’ll be involved in that decision, too. … But it is a big market share. There’s no question about that. It could be a problem.

AMY GOODMAN: On Monday, after Paramount announced its hostile bid, President Trump was asked about the competing bids for Warner Bros., including the involvement of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I know — I know the companies very well. I know what they’re doing. But I have to see. I have to see what percentage of market they have. We have to see the Netflix percentage of market, Paramount, the percentage of market. I mean, none of them are particularly great friends of mine. You know, I just — I want to — I want to do what’s right. It’s so — it’s so very important to do what’s right.

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[powergate92]

WBD Slams “Meritless Lawsuit,” Attacks On Board As Paramount Seeks To Derail Netflix Deal

In a major escalation, Paramount said it is planning to run a slate of directors at WBD's annual meeting and has sued for disclosures around the Netflix deal.

deadline.com

 

[Insidus]

WBD Slams “Meritless Lawsuit,” Attacks On Board As Paramount Seeks To Derail Netflix Deal

In a major escalation, Paramount said it is planning to run a slate of directors at WBD's annual meeting and has sued for disclosures around the Netflix deal.

deadline.com

Was to be expected I hear the board is not interested in taking its offer

 

[powergate92]

WBD Slams “Meritless Lawsuit,” Attacks On Board As Paramount Seeks To Derail Netflix Deal

In a major escalation, Paramount said it is planning to run a slate of directors at WBD's annual meeting and has sued for disclosures around the Netflix deal.

deadline.com

And WBD's response.

WBD Slams “Meritless Lawsuit,” Attacks On Board As Paramount Seeks To Derail Netflix Deal

In a major escalation, Paramount said it is planning to run a slate of directors at WBD's annual meeting and has sued for disclosures around the Netflix deal.

deadline.com

 

[AetherOps]

Paramount to nominate directors to Warner Bros board to vote against Netflix deal

Paramount also files lawsuit seeking disclosure of financial information related to $82.7bn agreement

www.theguardian.com

 

[the greenman]

Paramount to nominate directors to Warner Bros board to vote against Netflix deal

Paramount also files lawsuit seeking disclosure of financial information related to $82.7bn agreement

www.theguardian.com

If they truly plan to limit theater runs, of course WBD board is not gonna go for it. Again, multiple repeat viewership = $$$$$$

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[AetherOps]

If they truly plan to limit theater runs, of course WBD board is not gonna go for it. Again, multiple repeat viewership = $$$$$$

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Not sure if it’s best for me to ask this here or in the WBD discussion thread but, Is the Netflix-WB merger still likely to go through given Paramount’s recent actions?