Paramount has mounted a hostile $108 billion takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery, directly challenging Netflix’s $83 billion agreement we covered last week. The $30-per-share counter-offer bypasses Warner Bros Discovery’s board and targets shareholders directly, positioning Paramount’s complete acquisition against Netflix’s streaming-focused partial deal that excludes CNN and other cable channels. The Monday morning announcement escalates what was already Hollywood’s most consequential bidding war in decades. Paramount Skydance characterizes its offer as “superior” precisely because it would acquire all Warner Bros Discovery assets rather than just the streaming and studio operations Netflix wants. The distinction matters enormously for both regulatory review and theatrical exhibition futures. Paramount’s financing includes backing from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, positioning the company as preserving more traditional Hollywood infrastructure against Netflix’s streaming-first model. We’ll break down what this means for filmmakers, theatrical distribution, and the future of content creation. What Paramount’s offer includes Paramount’s $30-per-share cash offer values Warner Bros Discovery at approximately $108 billion including debt. That represents a significant premium over Netflix’s $27.75-per-share proposal. The key distinction lies in scope. Netflix’s agreement covers Warner Bros studio operations and HBO Max streaming service. Paramount has structured its bid to acquire the entire company, including the portfolio of cable channels that Netflix explicitly excluded. That means Paramount would gain control of CNN, along with other cable properties that represent declining but still revenue-generating assets. This distinction matters for both regulatory review and strategic positioning. Paramount frames its offer as preserving more of Warner Bros Discovery’s...
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Published By: CineD - 2 days ago
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