WBD Acquisition Thread

[RandomMe]

I guess that's means all of the forum members should do that as well, you must do it as well

Not all members and not all states.

 

[zakawer2]

I don't think I can really do much on my own besides wait for the EU regulators to take a specific position on Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

An especially important thing to note is that a combined Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery might potentially outright surpass Disney in the kids' TV and streaming department.

While Disney in Europe mostly only has Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney Jr. (plus Disney XD Poland), Paramount and WBD combined on the other hand would have HBO Max, Paramount+, Pluto TV, a stake in SkyShowtime, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, Boomerang (in UK, France and Italy), a stake in Boing (in Spain and Italy), Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Super! in Italy and TeenNick in Poland, all at once.

 

[RandomMe]

I don't think I can really do much on my own besides wait for the EU regulators to take a specific position on Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

An especially important thing to note is that a combined Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery might potentially outright surpass Disney in the kids' TV and streaming department.

While Disney in Europe mostly only has Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney Jr. (plus Disney XD Poland), Paramount and WBD combined on the other hand would have HBO Max, Paramount+, Pluto TV, a stake in SkyShowtime, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, Boomerang (in UK, France and Italy), a stake in Boing (in Spain and Italy), Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Super! in Italy and TeenNick in Poland, all at once.

If the merger passed they would have more channels than Disney here.

 

[TVArchive]

Soon it will be 10 years since Discovery bought the Turner channels in the post-Soviet countries. That’s when the testing began ahead of the global purchase in 2022. If Paramount buys Warner this year, then Discovery’s 10-year ownership of Turner will come to an end

Turner Russian sale concluded

The acquisition of Turner’s broadcasting assets in Russia by Media Alliance, a joint venture between the National Media Group (NMG) and Discovery Communications, has been finalised.

www.broadbandtvnews.com

Also, the Moscow office was responsible (or is responsible) for Northeastern Europe.

Media Alliance to Distribute Discovery Networks Channels in Russia

Discovery Communications and National Media Group today signed an agreement to form Media Alliance, a limited liability company in compliance with Russian media laws. Media Alliance will distribute the Discovery and Eurosport Pay-TV portfolio in Russia and develop a regional free-to-air channel.

ir.wbd.com

 

[harry580]

My state is extremely hardcore MAGA, hence, it is pointless for me to send a letter to Steve Marshall and he will laugh at me.

He against on Netflix buying WBD but has no problem with Ellison buying WBD, so it is absolutely 100% political, not based on interest from antitrust laws.

so, looks like Ellisons are using the elon musk playbook he used to takeover twitter

 

[awinger24]

What about the shareholder meeting? Some are getting the recommedation to vote for the original Netflix deal. Wonder if that has changed?

David Zaslav Payout For WBD-Paramount Merger Unveiled

Wait, that might have been changed.

"WBD has yet to set the date of a special meeting where stockholders will vote on the the merger but it’s expected in April." says Deadline.

 

[Daikun]

What about the shareholder meeting? Some are getting the recommedation to vote for the original Netflix deal. Wonder if that has changed?

Not happening. The Ellisons paid Netflix to walk away. They took the cash and they're not trying again.

 

[Insidus]

I don't think I can really do much on my own besides wait for the EU regulators to take a specific position on Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

An especially important thing to note is that a combined Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery might potentially outright surpass Disney in the kids' TV and streaming department.

While Disney in Europe mostly only has Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney Jr. (plus Disney XD Poland), Paramount and WBD combined on the other hand would have HBO Max, Paramount+, Pluto TV, a stake in SkyShowtime, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, Boomerang (in UK, France and Italy), a stake in Boing (in Spain and Italy), Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Super! in Italy and TeenNick in Poland, all at once.

I hear Paramount plans to retain them for financial purposes and honestly I think Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon will remain premier destination for new content as they generate the most revenue but animation wise I see that merging maybe one channel will rely on third party animation or rather they have shows like SpongeBob and Craig Of The Creek go to Nickelodeon with shows like Regular Show and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles go to Cartoon Network. As for Cartoonito, I think it's preschool offering will be merged into Nick Jr. and they'll just offer a block and play the elder sibling role with shows like Mr. Bean, Tom And Jerry Tales and Looney Tunes Cartoons.

 

[awinger24]

Not happening. The Ellisons paid Netflix to walk away. They took the cash and they're not trying again.

I see that in a recent SEC filing, the March 20th vote is cancelled. A new meeting will be determined.

 

[TheGreatToon]

In my opinion, both options are bad for Cartoon Network, If the merge happens, there will be layoffs, tax write offs, purges and cost-cutting galore, and CN as a whole could be sidelined in favor of Nick. and if the Discovery Global split happens, then CN's channel could potentially get separated from it's library and lose the rights to much of it's shows. (unless they manage to secure a licensing deal but knowing Discovery they will probably go the cheap acquisitions route considering how much debt is being offloaded onto Discovery Global).

 

[RandomMe]

In my opinion, both options are bad for Cartoon Network, If the merge happens, there will be layoffs, tax write offs, purges and cost-cutting galore, and CN as a whole could be sidelined in favor of Nick. and if the Discovery Global split happens, then CN's channel could potentially get separated from it's library and lose the rights to much of it's shows. (unless they manage to secure a licensing deal but knowing Discovery they will probably go the cheap acquisitions route considering how much debt is being offloaded onto Discovery Global).

And no possibility of crossovers.

 

[AetherOps]

I'm guessing the EU regulators are our last hope of stopping this thing?

 

[RandomMe]

I'm guessing the EU regulators are our last hope of stopping this thing?

I fear that they approve it

 

[Camping My TV Set]

I'm guessing the EU regulators are our last hope of stopping this thing?

i'd credit that more to california state attorney general rob bonta and the gaggle of other AGs he got to help block the kroger-albertsons merger

also, while i'm not exactly holding my breath on it, it's entirely possible the shareholders get spooked enough by the paramount junk credit rating and the debt count that they might say no to it

 

[JulianRO]

Warner Bros. Basks in ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ Oscar Wins, but a Paramount Sale May Mean the End of Its Auteur-Friendly Reputation

Warner Bros. dominated the Oscars with 'One Battle After Another' and 'Sinners,' but its sale to Paramount threatens its auteur friendly reputation.

variety.com

Considering how Paramount didn't get any Oscar nominations, I wouldn't be surprised for both WBD and Paramount to go downhill.

They'll surely do.

 

[AetherOps]

i'd credit that more to california state attorney general rob bonta and the gaggle of other AGs he got to help block the kroger-albertsons merger

How would this stop the merger? Does it even have a chance doing so given the current administration is doing all they can to help the merger go through?

 

[Daikun]

I see that in a recent SEC filing, the March 20th vote is cancelled. A new meeting will be determined.

Can you link to it, please? Google isn't being helpful.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Looks like these recent developments should put the merger on thin ice, especially with a case for Rob Bonta and the blue state AGs regarding the second article.

After ‘Weak’ Live Nation-DOJ Settlement, Senator Amy Klobuchar Introduces Antitrust Accountability and Transparency Act

After the DOJ's surprise settlement of its Live Nation antitrust case, Sen. Klobuchar has introduced the Antitrust Accountability and Transparency Act.

variety.com

Larry Ellison’s Private Trump Convo Alleged in Jeff Shell Legal Saga

Meanwhile, the Paramount head's adversary R.J. Cipriani tells THR he's meeting with the studio's internal investigator to prove the authenticity of disputed UFC deal texts.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[RandomMe]

I'd rather keep myself on the fence before more details are revealed

 

[Insidus]

I'm guessing the EU regulators are our last hope of stopping this thing?

I think they'll approve it

In my opinion, both options are bad for Cartoon Network, If the merge happens, there will be layoffs, tax write offs, purges and cost-cutting galore, and CN as a whole could be sidelined in favor of Nick. and if the Discovery Global split happens, then CN's channel could potentially get separated from it's library and lose the rights to much of it's shows. (unless they manage to secure a licensing deal but knowing Discovery they will probably go the cheap acquisitions route considering how much debt is being offloaded onto Discovery Global).

Cartoon Network international variants are doing a whole lot better so I doubt it, I think it will affect Cartoonito but again your opinion is valid regardless. But I think Nickelodeon is screwed from an animation standpoint as CN had hits in the 2010s and that's likely Nickelodeon will be good for airing CN scraps.