WBD Acquisition Thread

[Moe]

CNN is 100% going under Gunnar Wiedenfels's management.

Almost all of WBD's current linear channels (not including TCM USA/Canada or the worldwide HBO/Cinemax channels which will be with Warner Bros.) will be more or less fine under his management, aside from maybe the ex-WarnerMedia kids & family/young adult channels.

Yeah, it is going to happen.

but biggest question is about access to WBD libraries for Cartoon Network, so we love to know but doubtful about WBD would be transparent with syndication deals because it would be unfair to competitors who run the linear networks.

I do think that syndication deal for Cartoon Network may be generous but some members said may not much.

 

[JulianRO]

Paramount Hires Veteran DC Lawyer Amid Warner Bros. Deal Battle

Paramount Skydance Corp. has tapped Theodore “Ted” Lehman, a lawyer and lobbyist familiar with Washington’s corridors of power, as its new head of US public policy and government affairs while the company fights Netflix Inc.‘s bid to buy media industry rival Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.

news.bloomberglaw.com

 

[LooneyTunesFan3]

Paramount Hires Veteran DC Lawyer Amid Warner Bros. Deal Battle

Paramount Skydance Corp. has tapped Theodore “Ted” Lehman, a lawyer and lobbyist familiar with Washington’s corridors of power, as its new head of US public policy and government affairs while the company fights Netflix Inc.‘s bid to buy media industry rival Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.

news.bloomberglaw.com

If Paramount wins and buys WB instead Netflix buys WB, we're screwed, no more Looney Tunes for us.

 

[the greenman]

If Paramount wins and buys WB instead Netflix buys WB, we're screwed, no more Looney Tunes for us.

I guess you didn't catch this news:

TCM Becomes “Ongoing Home” of the Looney Tunes Library (Exclusive)

A new six-year licensing deal brings the classic cartoons to the channel. It starts in February with 45 shorts featuring Star of the Month Bugs Bunny.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

What happens to TCM or WBD linear TV stations remains unclear. I'm still curious about CW, guess it reverts back to Paramount if Netflix gets it.

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Moe]

If Paramount wins and buys WB instead Netflix buys WB, we're screwed, no more Looney Tunes for us.

The news isn't significant with everything and it is one of most useless tactic employed by Skydance.

It didn't change the posture for Netflix.

What happens to TCM or WBD linear TV stations remains unclear. I'm still curious about CW, guess it reverts back to Paramount if Netflix gets it.

My understanding is Netflix will inherit TCM, HBO linear and Cinemax linear as rest of others would stay with Discovery.

Even if split become effective and Netflix own WB, existing and old contracts for linear networks would be honored until they expires, so Cartoon Network wouldn't see a butcher with mass removal of shows and WB/Netflix are likely to issue the syndication deal to allow CN and Boomerang to air shows as part of barter syndication.

 

[Insidus]

If Paramount wins and buys WB instead Netflix buys WB, we're screwed, no more Looney Tunes for us.

I doubt WBD will sell to Paramount if the Netflix deal was rejected they'll most likely continue with the planned split and auction them separately.

 

[JulianRO]

Warner Bros. Acquisition Puts Netflix in Regulators’ Crosshairs

Netflix has long excelled at avoiding regulatory entanglements. That’s about to change.

www.bloomberg.com

I honestly think Netflix will be able to buy WBD, but with several obligations imposed by the authorities in order to maintain competition.

 

[Yojimbo]

As a general reminder, do not just embed a video or a link. Also post your own thoughts in at least a 3-5 word sentence.

 

[Moe]

I honestly think Netflix will be able to buy WBD, but with several obligations imposed by the authorities in order to maintain competition.

I think that UK and EU regulators would be more nuanced with less concessions like maybe commitment with theatrical releases for 60 days or physical media releases, so if UK and EU regulators approve the acquisition, it would be much difficult for US regulator to block it.

That how Biden admin lost the game with Microsoft over acquisition of Activision-Blizzard because EU and UK regulators approved, so if UK regulator blocked it, Biden admin would be likely to win the game.

Netflix as streaming and WB as studio, so both lines would be blurred as Netflix become a flagship studio. I do think that Netflix would be almost similar with Amazon-MGM.

 

[JulianRO]

I'm curious though, what if let's say, the EU or anybody else blocks the acquisition but in the US it's approved? That means they have to renegociate with the authorities that refused the transaction?



So it seems we'll wait a little longer for the vote.

 

[Moe]

I'm curious though, what if let's say, the EU or anybody else blocks the acquisition but in the US it's approved? That means they have to renegociate with the authorities that refused the transaction?

American companies typically to get clearance from regulators in foreign countries earlier before they work with American regulator to get final approval. Some of M&A are done at same time. Get done with US government first would be unusual.

Regulators in foreign countries aren't too keen to block the acquisition that is associated with two American companies, so they aim for easy and workable concession, otherwise US government could penalize the countries for block the M&A.

Microsoft absorbed some of British companies, so it is likely reason about face the problem with British regulator if Microsoft mistreated legacy British companies like Lionhead Studios and Bizarre Creations, also Microsoft didn't use Rare very much.

 

[JulianRO]

So it's either give more money or it's over for Paramount.

 

[Insidus]

View attachment 317421

So it's either give more money or it's over for Paramount.

I think it's over and Paramount will likely offer more money when it's a done deal and by then WBD won't take any new offers.

 

[Moe]

Netflix is ready to upped their offer if Skydance did up.

Kinda like Disney vs. Comcast over 20th Century.

 

[JulianRO]

Paramount’s Ellison Declined Hearing Invite on Warner Bros.

Paramount Skydance Corp. Chief Executive Officer David Ellison turned down an invitation to testify before the Senate at an antitrust hearing about the proposed tie-up between Netflix Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.

www.bloomberg.com

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos faces Senate hearing over massive $72B Warner Bros takeover deal

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos faces Senate questioning over the streaming giant's proposed $72 billion Warner Bros. Discovery merger amid antitrust concerns.

www.foxbusiness.com

Seems it's going to get even more heated up.

 

[Space Cadet]

Yeah, him declining to attend really just shows that the company is not really serious about this merger, they just want everything handed to them.

 

[JulianRO]

Netflix co-CEO grilled by US senators over Warner Bros Discovery merger

While most focused on competition issues, Josh Hawley accused Netflix of promoting trans content to children

www.theguardian.com

Seems quite promising what Hawley said, unless it's some kind of marketing that they later cancel once they complete the acquisition.

 

[Insidus]

Yeah, him declining to attend really just shows that the company is not really serious about this merger, they just want everything handed to them.

They don't want to look desperate and they know there's other people there opposing the deal but here's the thing these two don't overlap with content as Netflix licenses majority of its IPs

 

[Moe]

Yeah, him declining to attend really just shows that the company is not really serious about this merger, they just want everything handed to them.

Yeah, Skydance is just beating on dead horse.

The hostile takeover failed with 93% of shareholders rejected Skydance - it is extremely high enough for resistance.

As for both Missouri senators, their words didn’t help and it won’t tank the acquisition for Netflix since anti-trust laws don’t address on aspect of contents and Netflix said it is for customer demands. If acquisition is blocked based on political ground, the court is going to be on Netflix’s side easily. Netflix pointed that customer demands are major reason for those contents.

Paramount has same kind of contents as Netflix does.

 

[JulianRO]

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/netflix-wbd-woke-sarandos-senate-hearing-hawley

DFAN14A

"To put it another way, this acquisition does not reduce competition; it will enhance it."

Can't really say so, considering Netflix is probably the most subscribed streaming service, at least in some countries in Europe. I'm pretty sure there will be some obligations set by the antitrust authorities, but if the transaction gets through, I don't mind.