WBD Acquisition Thread

[JulianRO]

CANCELLED: The Second Act: Competition and Monopsony Concerns in the Proposed Netflix-Warner Brothers Transaction | United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Meeting for Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights on March 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM

www.judiciary.senate.gov

Looks like they didn't cancel this hearing, yet.

As expected, it got cancelled.

 

[Golden Geek]

"I'm tired of this, grandpa!"
"THAT'S TOO DAMN BAD" - David Zaslav, probably

 

[JulianRO]

Not something new, Paramount had this intention since October last year =))

 

[RandomMe]

To be honest, Netflix's original productions sucks. I would definitely prefer a good legacy network library.

I was told these are mostly commissioned from outside companies

 

[GRPHX]

I didn't realize that the last few seasons of Lucifer were original to Netflix until now.

If we can count documentary series that originated on Netflix, what about The Toys That Made Us? Or Disenchantment (if you're a fan of The Simpsons or Futurama)?

And FWIW, I'd count Stranger Things as more science fiction than horror.

Yes, it's actually a WB series, even if Netflix gets the distribution rights. But it is labeled as Netflix Original. As far as I know, their rights will expire in 2031.

Disenchantment, of course, Bean, Luci and Elfo.... It was an enjoyable adventure of them, I'm so sorry I forgot that. Lupin wasn't bad either as heist-caper series, but that's about it. I also watched 1-2 TV NF Original TV series from my own country. (As the Crow Flies, Love101)
But NF originals in my country are just as bad as our mainstream TV series.

I was told these are mostly commissioned from outside companies

Too dramatic, too operatic, too self-serious, too dark and too much of a social message. Frankly, I don't like it. It is very popular and I respect its fans. But I prefer to watch licensed Network productions such as Suits, Archer, Sherlock (BBC) on Netflix.


That's why this agreement was important and valuable for Netflix to have a good legacy Network library. But unfortunately, that didn't happen and what awaits us is the terrible combined service of HBOMAX and P+.

 

[Ace]

It'd be cool if they put all cable channels together in the new combined streaming service.

Cable channels never really got a fair shot having not been able to migrate to smartphones and tablets but these guys own the most popular cable brands. Nickelodeon, Discovery it's all there.

I'd say it'd probably be foolish not to since they're looking to hold onto cable assets while it's currently a huge hole in their wallet.

 

[PF9]

That's why this agreement was important and valuable for Netflix to have a good legacy Network library. But unfortunately, that didn't happen and what awaits us is the terrible combined service of HBOMAX and P+.

It still could happen if Netflix is acquired by Sony. It's a better idea than you think.

 

[RandomMe]

It'd be cool if they put all cable channels together in the new combined streaming service.

Cable channels never really got a fair shot having not been able to migrate to smartphones and tablets but these guys own the most popular cable brands. Nickelodeon, Discovery it's all there.

I'd say it'd probably be foolish not to since they're looking to hold onto cable assets while it's currently a huge hole in their wallet.

Maybe the new combined streaming service will have the ones that survive. If the channels that close are not included, now you know which ones are going to close.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/investors-paramount-warner-brothers

This could end up putting an end to the deal.

 

[RandomMe]

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/investors-paramount-warner-brothers

This could end up putting an end to the deal.

Does this mean there won't be a mergwr according to them?

 

[Moe]

Does this mean there won't be a mergwr according to them?

Don't know - you have to wait for WBD shareholder meeting.

 

[Camping My TV Set]

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/02/investors-paramount-warner-brothers

This could end up putting an end to the deal.

While I'm not holding my breath on anything, it is interesting how between articles like this and Zaslav's ominous message, there's a lot of growing skepticism regarding the deal. No other deals of this size have had doubt casted this intensely, this early on

 

[Elijah Abrams]

There’s more…

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/paramount-debt-downgraded-junk-following-000857683.html

Ellison isn’t just being a clown right now, he’s being the whole circus!

 

[Moe]

There’s more…

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/paramount-debt-downgraded-junk-following-000857683.html

Ellison isn’t just being a clown right now, he’s being the whole circus!

Not good, it means interest rate would be very high for Paramount if they borrow more money.

I feel that Paramount-WBD would lead to verge of bankruptcy eventually.

What's reckless and mismanagement purchase by Ellison since he is supposed to repair and restore the Paramount brand.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Not good, it means interest rate would be very high for Paramount if they borrow more money.

Can you see them getting very concerned with that?

 

[Leviathan]

Not good, it means interest rate would be very high for Paramount if they borrow more money.

I feel that Paramount-WBD would lead to verge of bankruptcy eventually.

What's reckless and mismanagement purchase by Ellison since he is supposed to repair and restore the Paramount brand.

This might be why Netflix bowed out. If they bide their time and play their cards right, they can get WB AND Paramount's IP library down the line for a song.

 

[TVArchive]

Oh yes, in the US the credit score is very important. Without a good score, you can’t rent an apartment — at least that’s how it is in New York. But I don’t know how credit ratings work in business.

 

[PF9]

I went to school with a relative of Joe Barbera.

I wonder what she thinks of Paramount buying her relative's legacy.

 

[Moe]

Can you see them getting very concerned with that?

Can't speak for Ellison because he is too reckless.

This might be why Netflix bowed out. If they bide their time and play their cards right, they can get WB AND Paramount's IP library down the line for a song.

Yes, I thought that Netflix would throw a fatal bid (raise the bid to $40+ per share) for Ellison to take it, but Netflix opt to not take a risk and decided to walk away. If Ellison walk away, so Netflix would have to deal with super overpriced M&A.

Right now, WBD deal is just significant overpriced for Paramount because cost won't go down if linear networks lose the value. If M&A gets drag longer, it will be more costly imposed on Ellison.

I'm surprised that Paramount shareholders didn't confront Ellison about costly M&A.

Oh yes, in the US the credit score is very important. Without a good score, you can’t rent an apartment — at least that’s how it is in New York. But I don’t know how credit ratings work in business.

Yes, if you have bad credit, you cannot get loan or get secured loan with higher interest rate. As for businesses, they are more complex with AAA as most preferred for investors but drop to BB+ is bad (junk) for investors, so interest rate would go up to compensate for risky business. As for business, you need to keep AAA as much as possible to get lower interest rate, so less risky. Even, AAA to D applies to cities, counties, states too.

 

[TVArchive]

It seems to me that if there are conditions from the European regulators, they will probably have to exit their stake in Boing or something else. It will be like Disney when they left History in Europe.