PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, today announced a new multi-year licensing partnership starting in 2027 with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), making Hasbro the global primary toy licensee for the world of Harry Potter and the upcoming HBO Original HARRY POTTER series. Hasbro's innovative team will bring the Harry Potter universe to life through a range of film and HBO Original series-inspired products featuring dolls, role. ...

Core Viewpoint - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated an investigation into Netflix's proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery to assess potential anti-competitive practices [1][6]. Group 1: Company Position and Response - Netflix's Chief Global Affairs Officer, Clete Willems, stated that the DOJ's investigation is a standard procedure and the company is cooperating fully [2][5]. - Willems emphasized that the merger would be beneficial for the U.S. economy and consumers, highlighting the company's commitment to transparency compared to rival bidder Paramount [7][10]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Paramount's counter-offer for Warner Bros. was rejected, and Willems pointed out that Paramount has faced significant job cuts, contrasting Netflix's job growth [9][10]. - The DOJ's civil subpoena is examining whether either Netflix's or Paramount's acquisition could negatively impact competition in the market [6]. Group 3: Consumer Benefits - Willems outlined potential consumer benefits from the merger, including increased content availability and continued theatrical releases for Warner Bros. shows [12].

Core Viewpoint - The potential $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix is uncertain due to antitrust challenges and competition, prompting speculation about alternative strategies, such as acquiring ESPN from Disney if the deal fails [1][2]. Group 1: Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery Deal - The acquisition deal for Warner Bros. Discovery is valued at $72 billion, which increases to approximately $83 billion when including assumed debt [1]. - Antitrust hurdles exist for Netflix, particularly in Europe, complicating the acquisition process [2]. - The deal's uncertainty raises questions about whether Netflix should consider other options, such as acquiring ESPN from Disney [2]. Group 2: ESPN Ownership and Disney's Stake - Disney previously owned 80% of ESPN, but after selling a 10% stake to the NFL, its ownership has been reduced to 72%, while Hearst Broadcasting now holds 18% [3]. - The sports programming business, led by ESPN, is underperforming, contributing less than 19% of Disney's $94.4 billion revenue in fiscal 2025 and only 16% of its segment operating income [6]. - ESPN's latest quarter showed only a 1% year-over-year revenue increase, alongside a 25% decline in segment operating profit, indicating financial strain [6]. Group 3: Disney's Strategic Considerations - Disney faces increasing costs for sports rights, making ownership burdensome compared to its other segments like theme parks and studio productions [4][5]. - Selling ESPN could improve Disney's margins significantly, especially if Netflix is willing to pay a premium similar to that for Warner Bros. Discovery [6]. - The upcoming leadership change with Josh D'Amaro becoming Disney's new CEO may lead to significant strategic decisions regarding ESPN [6].

IT之家 2 月 8 日消息，Netflix 收购华纳兄弟探索（Warner Bros. Discovery）一事目前尚未最终敲定。据《华尔街日报》报道，美国司法部已对 Netflix 的这项收购提议展开调查，尤其关注这家流媒体巨头是否存在任何反竞争行为。 Netflix 法律顾问史蒂文・桑夏恩（Steven Sunshine）表示，此次调查属于常规流程，并称："我们尚未收到任何通知，也未发现其他迹象表明 司法部正在针对 Netflix 展开单独的垄断调查。" Netflix 在一份声明中也表示，正"就本次拟收购华纳兄弟探索的交易，与司法部进行建设性沟通，这是常规审查的一部分"。据《华尔街日报》 消息，该调查目前仍处于初期阶段，可能需要长达一年时间才能完成。 《华尔街日报》看到的民事传票显示，美国司法部正在调查 Netflix 是否存在任何"排他性行为"，这类行为"在合理情况下可能巩固其市场地位 或垄断势力"。 Netflix 于去年 12 月宣布计划以 827 亿美元（IT之家注：现汇率约合 5744.57 亿元人民币）收购华纳兄弟探索，该交易原本预计在获得必要监 管批准后，于 12 至 18 个月内完成。 ...

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance Corp. is actively seeking to complete the Justice Department's antitrust review of its tender offer for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. shares in the coming weeks, as it aims to counter Netflix's planned acquisition of Warner Bros. studios and streaming businesses [1][3]. Group 1: Regulatory Review and Approval - Paramount is providing requested information to the Justice Department, which will require a 10-day waiting period to determine if it will challenge Paramount's proposal due to competition concerns [2]. - The Justice Department is thoroughly examining the offers from both Netflix and Paramount, with federal officials reaching out to major Hollywood constituencies for information [6]. - A Justice Department approval does not guarantee that Paramount is clear of regulatory hurdles, as any changes to key terms of the proposal may require resubmission for review [7]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Warner Bros. agreed to sell its studios and streaming divisions to Netflix for $82.7 billion, favoring this deal over Paramount's competing bid [4]. - Paramount has resisted increasing its $108 billion bid for Warner Bros., asserting that its offer is superior and more likely to gain regulatory approval [8]. - Warner Bros. and Netflix express confidence in securing approval for their deal, while also acknowledging that the Justice Department's review is expected to extend into later this year [9]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - Securing early regulatory approval is crucial for Paramount to persuade Warner Bros. shareholders to vote against the Netflix deal [3]. - Paramount's strategy includes appealing directly to shareholders and lobbying regulators to bypass the Netflix deal [4]. - A spokesperson for Netflix indicated that the company expects Paramount to declare compliance with federal regulations, emphasizing the value of the Netflix and Warner Bros. partnership [5].

智通财经获悉，据知情人士透露，派拉蒙天舞(PSKY.US)正推动在未来几周内完成司法部对其收购华纳 兄弟探索公司(WBD.US)股份要约的反垄断审查。 司法部可能会起诉以阻止奈飞的收购，这将增加派拉蒙在无需提高每股 30 美元全现金报价的情况下赢 得华纳兄弟的机会。奈飞的一位发言人表示，公司相信派拉蒙会"自我声明"符合联邦监管规定。该发言 人称："我们仍专注于奈飞和华纳兄弟共同创造的价值。" 到目前为止，派拉蒙一直拒绝提高其对整个华纳兄弟 1080 亿美元的收购报价，坚称其标书优于奈飞， 且更有可能获得监管部门的批准。派拉蒙首席执行官大卫·埃里森辩称，奈飞、HBO 和华纳兄弟的联合 将使全球最大的付费流媒体公司变得更庞大。奈飞的交易已面临批评，包括在 2 月 3 日参议院听证会上 受到的两党抨击。 华纳兄弟和奈飞表示，他们有信心为自己的交易赢取监管机构的支持，并认为派拉蒙的交易对好莱坞更 不利。尽管如此，他们承认司法部的审查可能会持续到今年晚些时候。 美股频道更多独家策划、专家专栏，免费查阅>> 责任编辑：栎树 司法部正在对奈飞和派拉蒙的报价进行深入审查。据了解接触情况的人士透露，包括人才经纪公司在内 的好莱 ...

智通财经APP获悉，据知情人士透露，派拉蒙天舞(PSKY.US)正推动在未来几周内完成司法部对其收购 华纳兄弟探索公司(WBD.US)股份要约的反垄断审查。 知情人士表示，派拉蒙一直在提交政府要求的相关信息。完成这项任务将触发为期 10 天的等待期，司 法部须在此期间决定是否以竞争问题为由对派拉蒙的提议提出质疑。 获得监管机构的早期认可，是派拉蒙挫败奈飞(NFLX.US)收购华纳兄弟制片厂及流媒体业务计划的关键 战略。如果派拉蒙能宣布已扫清重大监管障碍，其后便会尝试说服华纳兄弟的股东对奈飞的交易投反对 票。 司法部正在对奈飞和派拉蒙的报价进行深入审查。据了解接触情况的人士透露，包括人才经纪公司在内 的好莱坞关键利益群体已收到联邦官员的信息请求。 司法部的批准并不意味着派拉蒙已高枕无忧。如果派拉蒙更改价格等关键条款，或者最终与华纳兄弟签 署合并协议，其提案可能需要重新提交司法部审查。华纳兄弟的股东们正期望派拉蒙能提高报价。 派拉蒙和奈飞还面临欧盟和英国正在进行的审查，以及美国各州总检察长的调查。 到目前为止，派拉蒙一直拒绝提高其对整个华纳兄弟 1080 亿美元的收购报价，坚称其标书优于奈飞， 且更有可能获得监管 ...

（原标题：立场反转：特朗普称将不干预华纳兄弟(WBD.US)收购案） 去年 12 月，特朗普曾表示奈飞拥有"非常大"的市场份额，如果它收购华纳兄弟的资产，其份额将大幅 提升。"这将由经济学家来评估。我也将参与那一决定。" 奈飞此前提出以 827 亿美元的企业价值收购华纳兄弟的制片厂及流媒体资产。华纳兄弟探索频道的董事 会已支持这一报价。 派拉蒙天舞则发起了针对整个公司的敌意收购，其中包括 CNN 等华纳兄弟旗下的有线电视网络，其企 业价值超过 1080 亿美元。派拉蒙最近将其竞购截止日期延长至 2 月 20 日。 特朗普在接受新闻采访时表示，"我一直没有参与其中，""双方都给我打过电话。这是两方之间的竞 争，但我决定我不应该介入。司法部会处理这件事。" 他补充道："有一种理论认为，其中一家公司规模太大，不应该被允许进行这项交易，而另一种声音则 持有不同意见。他们正打得不可开交——最终会有一个赢家。" 智通财经APP获悉，美国总统特朗普表示，他将不参与流媒体巨头奈飞(NFLX.US)与派拉蒙天舞 (PSKY.US)之间针对华纳兄弟探索公司(WBD.US)的收购争夺战。这与两个月前相比是一个显著的转 变，当时他曾 ...

Core Viewpoint - President Trump has decided not to intervene in the $82.7 billion merger between Netflix Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., allowing the Justice Department to handle the review process [1][2]. Group 1: Merger Details - The merger aims to combine Netflix, the leading streaming service, with Warner Bros. and HBO, creating a significant player in the entertainment industry [2]. - Analysts estimate that a combined Netflix-Warner entity could control over 30% of the U.S. streaming market, raising concerns about potential monopolistic practices [4]. Group 2: Regulatory and Market Context - The merger is currently under a complex antitrust review by the DOJ's Antitrust Division, which could impact its approval [4]. - If the merger fails, Netflix faces a breakup fee of $5.8 billion, while Warner Bros. Discovery would incur a cost of $2.8 billion if it pivots to Paramount [4]. Group 3: Market Performance - As of the year-to-date, Netflix has underperformed with a decline of 11.90%, while Warner Bros. Discovery and PSKY have also seen declines of 5.19% and 18.44%, respectively [5]. - The Nasdaq 100 index has decreased by 1.25% during the same period, indicating that all three companies involved in the merger are underperforming relative to the benchmark [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses President Trump's non-involvement in the bidding war between Netflix and Paramount for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), highlighting a shift in his stance from previous comments regarding the potential market implications of the acquisition [1] Group 1: Company Actions - Netflix has proposed a $72 billion acquisition of WBD, excluding the latter's cable network business [1] - Paramount has initiated a hostile takeover bid, offering over $108 billion for a complete acquisition of WBD [1] Group 2: Regulatory Context - Trump stated that he would not participate in the bidding process and that the Department of Justice would handle the matter [1] - Previously, Trump expressed concerns about Netflix's potential market share increase if the acquisition were approved, indicating he would engage in the review process [1]