41 votes

Paramount launches a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Posted by moocow1452
Tags: usa, hollywood, movie studios, business, paramount.pictures, netflix, warner bros.discovery, mergers, acquisitions, author.alex weprin, author.erik hayden, source.the hollywood reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-launches-hostile-bid-for-warner-bros-1236444601/

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Title
It's a Bidding War: Paramount Attempts Hostile Offer for Warner Bros.
Authors
Alex Weprin,Erik Hayden
Published
Dec 8 2025
Word count
975 words

22 comments

  1. [12]
    derekiscool
    (edited )
    Link
    I really hope that this completely fails. We're talking about giving a major stake of American (global, really) media to middle eastern countries with a long history basic disregard of human...

    I really hope that this completely fails. We're talking about giving a major stake of American (global, really) media to middle eastern countries with a long history basic disregard of human rights, totalitarianism (Including the blatant murderand dismemberment of foreign reporters), denial of women's rights, etc.

    Any sane democratic country would not allow this deal takeover to happen, but we are obviously way past thay point in th US.

    28 votes
    1. [3]
      Minori
      Link Parent
      I'm much more worried about the Ellison family potentially owning an even larger share of the media. They're already set to have Tiktok in the US which is bad enough. I honestly think Netflix...

      I'm much more worried about the Ellison family potentially owning an even larger share of the media. They're already set to have Tiktok in the US which is bad enough.

      I honestly think Netflix getting their properties is fine. Netflix used to have tons of licensed content, and it was never an issue. Sure, streaming is more popular now, but television is increasingly competing with short-form video content on social media.

      There are things I dislike about Netflix, but I trust them a hell of a lot more than the Ellisons.

      23 votes
      1. cloud_loud
        Link Parent
        Also as bad as this is for theaters something like this was going to be inevitable. There are people that believe Paramount is the better choice since they’re committed to theaters but I don’t...

        Also as bad as this is for theaters something like this was going to be inevitable. There are people that believe Paramount is the better choice since they’re committed to theaters but I don’t think it’s worth giving the Ellison’s all of this just to delay the death of exhibition for a little bit longer

        4 votes
      2. ResidueOfSanity
        Link Parent
        My understanding is that the netflix purchase does not include the news agencies, they are to be split off and Ellison is trying to pick them up ASAP.

        My understanding is that the netflix purchase does not include the news agencies, they are to be split off and Ellison is trying to pick them up ASAP.

    2. balooga
      Link Parent
      I just got the hang of looking for the phrase “private equity” as an increasingly frequent warning light appearing in articles like this. Now I have to train that same muscle to watch out for...

      I just got the hang of looking for the phrase “private equity” as an increasingly frequent warning light appearing in articles like this. Now I have to train that same muscle to watch out for “sovereign wealth.”

      11 votes
    3. [5]
      raze2012
      Link Parent
      Did I miss something about Paramount recently? I'm just over here thinking "so, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon would potentially be under one roof"

      to middle eastern countries with a long history basic disregard of human rights, totalitarianism

      Did I miss something about Paramount recently? I'm just over here thinking "so, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon would potentially be under one roof"

      3 votes
      1. [4]
        Eji1700
        Link Parent
        I'm not paying close attention but the claims are that Paramount doesn't have the funds but is instead being backed by the Saudi's. I don't think this is conspiracy/secret, but I also haven't...

        I'm not paying close attention but the claims are that Paramount doesn't have the funds but is instead being backed by the Saudi's. I don't think this is conspiracy/secret, but I also haven't bothered to vet it myself besides seeing people ramble about it.

        3 votes
        1. [3]
          smiles134
          Link Parent
          It's in the linked article. It's not a claim, it's from Paramount themselves.

          It's in the linked article.

          A filing confirms that Paramount’s tender offer is also supported by $24 billion in debt financing from sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, as well as from Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.

          It's not a claim, it's from Paramount themselves.

          16 votes
          1. raze2012
            Link Parent
            Ahh I missed that part. I read now Paramount didn't have that money so they used the Elisons and Jared Kushner. But missed the Saudis chipping in. Seems like a crazy deal to take, but then...

            Ahh I missed that part. I read now Paramount didn't have that money so they used the Elisons and Jared Kushner. But missed the Saudis chipping in.

            Seems like a crazy deal to take, but then again... Trump administration. We're very much in no man's land in terms of corporate integrity.

            2 votes
          2. Eji1700
            Link Parent
            Yeah I don't think I was being clear but I was trying to indicate as much (without having had time to really dig into the news today).

            Yeah I don't think I was being clear but I was trying to indicate as much (without having had time to really dig into the news today).

            1 vote
    4. Eji1700
      Link Parent
      It's actually one of the more interesting questions in regards to globalization, capitalism, and democracy, but probably not the topic for the full discussion, and it doesn't much matter because...

      Any sane democratic country would not allow this deal takeover to happen, but we are obviously way past thay point in th US.

      It's actually one of the more interesting questions in regards to globalization, capitalism, and democracy, but probably not the topic for the full discussion, and it doesn't much matter because we're well into "isn't this a fucking monopoly" territory before you even get into ethical/moral standpoints.

      3 votes
    5. Hollow
      Link Parent
      The SWFs are money men, they won't have any power over WB's governance; just a cut of the revenue.

      the company made changes in response to concerns from the WBD board, including removing Tencent from the consortium, and with Affinity and the sovereign wealth funds agreeing “to forgo any governance rights – including board representation – associated with their non-voting equity investments.”

      The SWFs are money men, they won't have any power over WB's governance; just a cut of the revenue.

      2 votes
  2. [2]
    macleod
    Link
    I hope none of them go through, and this shows the investors in WBD just how valued (as a brand) they really are.

    I hope none of them go through, and this shows the investors in WBD just how valued (as a brand) they really are.

    10 votes
    1. Eji1700
      Link Parent
      Extremely unlikely given one of the main points of this sale is that WB has valuable IPs that investors feel the current management can’t leverage, which is a fairly accurate assessment

      Extremely unlikely given one of the main points of this sale is that WB has valuable IPs that investors feel the current management can’t leverage, which is a fairly accurate assessment

      12 votes
  3. [4]
    Protected
    Link
    Plex submits $35 bid for Warner Bros.

    Plex submits $35 bid for Warner Bros.

    19 votes
    1. CannibalisticApple
      Link Parent
      I genuinely wish that wasn't an Onion article and a real offer, just so I could entertain the insane possibility of them accepting it.

      I genuinely wish that wasn't an Onion article and a real offer, just so I could entertain the insane possibility of them accepting it.

      9 votes
    2. [2]
      moocow1452
      Link Parent
      https://www.threads.com/@plex.tv/post/DSBUfP1EqWR

      https://www.threads.com/@plex.tv/post/DSBUfP1EqWR

      It was actually $36 and a bottle of Malört. Still waiting to hear back. 🤞

      2 votes
      1. CannibalisticApple
        Link Parent
        I don't drink alcohol but the ö makes the name feel fancy, so I'd say that's a good offer worthy of consideration!

        I don't drink alcohol but the ö makes the name feel fancy, so I'd say that's a good offer worthy of consideration!

        1 vote
  4. Nemoder
    Link
    Just think, WB entire catalog could be put into fully free public domain if we just got every person on the planet to chip in at least $12.50. Who wants to start the kickstarter for it?

    Just think, WB entire catalog could be put into fully free public domain if we just got every person on the planet to chip in at least $12.50. Who wants to start the kickstarter for it?

    5 votes
  5. [2]
    Perryapsis
    Link
    While I share others' concerns about Paramount winning, I hope that the fact that they are still pursuing a bid helps put more pressure on Netflix to keep its promises about continuing theatrical...

    While I share others' concerns about Paramount winning, I hope that the fact that they are still pursuing a bid helps put more pressure on Netflix to keep its promises about continuing theatrical releases.

    1 vote
    1. cloud_loud
      Link Parent
      The pressure is gonna come from creatives. They’ve already lost projects because filmmakers want a theatrical release. Wuthering Heights, for example, Fennell decided to sell to WB (ironically)...

      The pressure is gonna come from creatives. They’ve already lost projects because filmmakers want a theatrical release. Wuthering Heights, for example, Fennell decided to sell to WB (ironically) despite being originally with Netflix. She took a smaller budget to have a theatrical release.

      4 votes