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PARAMOUNT PROVIDES UPDATE TO WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY SHAREHOLDERS ON ACTIONS IT IS TAKING TO ADVANCE ITS SUPERIOR $30 PER SHARE ALL-CASH OFFER
Prnewswire· 2026-01-12 14:07
Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance Corporation has made a fully financed, all-cash offer of $30 per share to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc., which it believes is superior to WBD's agreement with Netflix [1][3][4]. Offer Details - Paramount's initial offer was made at a significant premium to WBD's share price of $12.54, culminating in the $30 per share cash proposal [1][3]. - The offer is fully financed and aims to provide WBD shareholders with a better financial outcome compared to the Netflix transaction, which includes a complex structure of cash and stock [3][4]. Shareholder Engagement - Paramount plans to nominate a slate of directors for WBD's 2026 Annual Meeting to facilitate engagement with WBD's board regarding the acquisition offer [2][5]. - The company will also propose an amendment to WBD's bylaws to require shareholder approval for any separation of Global Networks [2]. Legal Actions - Paramount has filed a lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court to compel WBD to disclose essential financial information that shareholders need to make informed decisions regarding the offers [4][5]. Communication with WBD - Paramount expresses a desire for constructive discussions with WBD's board to reach an agreement beneficial to both parties and their shareholders [6][7]. - The company has noted a lack of transparency from WBD regarding the financial aspects of the Netflix transaction and has questioned the rationale behind WBD's decision to favor it over Paramount's offer [6][7]. Call to Action - Paramount urges WBD shareholders to express their preference for its superior offer by tendering their shares [9].
A cautionary Hollywood tale: the Ellisons’ lose-lose Paramount positioning
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-12 13:30
Core Viewpoint - Paramount is facing significant challenges in its pursuit of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, with its leadership making questionable decisions and struggling under a weakened asset base, while Netflix stands to benefit regardless of the outcome of the bidding war [1][3][21]. Group 1: Paramount's Acquisition Efforts - Paramount has made multiple bids for Warner Bros. Discovery, with its latest offer being $30 per share, but it is reportedly not its "best and final offer," which undermines its credibility [4][6]. - The company has faced rejection for its takeover bid for the eighth time, leading to a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery for greater financial disclosure regarding its preference for Netflix's bid [6]. - Paramount's CEO David Ellison's strategy appears to focus on leveraging intellectual property rather than investing in original content, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the studio [9][11]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Netflix has positioned itself advantageously in the bidding war, with its Co-CEOs confident enough to offer a $5.8 billion breakup fee if the government blocks their deal with Warner [16]. - The streaming giant has access to a highly sought-after content library from HBO and Warner Bros., which includes popular franchises and critically acclaimed shows, enhancing its competitive edge [2][3]. - Paramount's potential acquisition of Warner would burden the new entity with nearly $55 billion in new debt, raising concerns about its financial health and ability to invest in content creation [8][21]. Group 3: Industry Context and Historical Precedents - The media industry has a history of cautionary tales regarding acquisitions, with past examples like RKO and MGM illustrating the risks of mismanagement and talent flight following ownership changes [12][14][22]. - Paramount's leadership is seen as politically influenced, which could further complicate its acquisition efforts and lead to talent losses across its assets, including CNN [18]. - The involvement of Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds in Paramount's bid raises governance concerns and potential scrutiny from regulatory bodies [19][20].
特朗普再次释放反对信号,质疑奈飞(NFLX.US)收购华纳兄弟(WBD.US)
智通财经网· 2026-01-12 11:45
Core Viewpoint - President Trump opposes Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming and film assets, citing concerns over cultural dominance and market competition [1][2] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Netflix has proposed an $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which has been approved by the Warner Bros. board [1] - Warner Bros. Discovery rejected a hostile takeover bid from Paramount SkyDance worth $108 billion [1] Group 2: Political and Ideological Concerns - Trump's comments highlight fears that the acquisition could lead to a single, politically driven entity dominating American culture, undermining competition and creativity in the film industry [1] - The article suggests that regulatory bodies should prioritize antitrust reviews of the merger due to its implications for free speech and cultural diversity [1] Group 3: Market Reactions - Despite Trump's opposition, market predictions for Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. remain stable, with a 54% probability on Kalshi and 53% on Polymarket [2]
1月10日隔夜要闻:美股收高 金价上涨 英特尔涨超10% 特朗普泄露就业数据 委称与美启动探索性外交
Xin Lang Cai Jing· 2026-01-09 22:32
Company - Nvidia is recruiting executives from Google Cloud to strengthen its position in the market [8] - Chevron could see an annual revenue increase of up to $700 million due to its operations in Venezuela [8] - Stellantis has canceled its sales plan for plug-in hybrid vehicles in the U.S. due to weak demand [8] - Glencore and Rio Tinto are in negotiations to potentially create the world's largest mining company [8] - xAI plans to invest $20 billion in building a data center in Mississippi [8] - Hyundai will fully deploy humanoid robots starting in 2028 [8] - Paramount reiterated its all-cash offer of $30 per share for WBD [8] - General Motors will account for $7.1 billion in expenses in the fourth quarter [8] - Johnson & Johnson is lowering drug prices in the U.S. in exchange for tariff reductions, but experts say savings for insured individuals will be limited [8] Industry - The U.S. added 584,000 jobs in 2025, marking the lowest growth rate in a non-recession period since 2003 [8] - U.S. household wealth has reached a record high, benefiting from the rise in the stock market [8] - The EU is expected to sign a historic trade agreement with South America despite opposition from France [8] - The WTI crude oil price has risen for the third consecutive week [9] - The U.S. debt market shows mixed results, with a flattening yield curve and mixed non-farm payroll data [9] - The dollar is rising alongside U.S. Treasury yields as traders reduce bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts [9]
Warner Bros. Rejects Paramount's Offer—How It Affects WBD, NFLX, PSKY
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-09 22:21
Core Insights - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shares experienced a significant increase of approximately 173% in 2025, making it the top-performing communications stock in the S&P 500 Index [2][7] - The primary catalyst for this stock performance was the agreement between Warner Bros. and Netflix, where Netflix agreed to acquire most of WBD for an enterprise value of around $82.7 billion [2] - Paramount Skydance has made a competing offer to acquire WBD at an enterprise value of $108.4 billion, which Warner Bros. has advised shareholders to reject [3][6] Group 1 - Warner Bros. Discovery is proceeding with its strategy to sell its streaming, television, and movie production assets to Netflix, while also planning to spin off its cable TV channels into a new entity called Discovery Global [4] - The estimated value that WBD shareholders may receive from the Netflix deal is projected to be between $28 and $33 per share [5] - Paramount's offer of $30 per share for the entirety of WBD is an all-cash proposal and does not depend on the performance of Paramount's stock [5] Group 2 - Warner Bros. has indicated that a deal with Paramount could still be feasible if the company increases its offer, potentially leading to a renewed bidding war that could elevate WBD shares [6] - Netflix is positioned favorably in the acquisition of WBD, as the deal would significantly enhance its market share in TV streaming and provide control over valuable intellectual property [8]
What will happen next in the war for Warner Bros. Discovery?
Business Insider· 2026-01-09 16:37
Core Viewpoint - The competition for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) between Paramount and Netflix is intensifying, with Paramount's CEO criticizing WBD for not accepting what he claims is a superior offer, while WBD's board defends its decision against Paramount's repeated proposals [1]. Group 1: Paramount's Bidding Strategy - Paramount has made an all-cash offer of $30 per share for WBD, claiming it provides more value and less risk compared to Netflix's $27.75 per share bid [3]. - There is speculation that Paramount may increase its offer, as insiders believe a bidding war is likely, especially after it was revealed that Paramount's $30 offer was not its "best and final" [4]. - WBD's stock is trading above $28.50, indicating that investors expect either Paramount or Netflix to increase their bids before a deal is finalized [4]. Group 2: Shareholder Dynamics - If a majority of WBD's shareholders prefer Paramount's bid, the board may be legally obligated to reconsider its position, potentially leading to a shift in the acquisition dynamics [5]. - Analyst Rich Greenfield suggests that while Paramount may attempt to secure shareholder support, it might ultimately need to raise its offer to $32 per share, prompting a response from Netflix [6]. Group 3: Legal Considerations - Paramount could pursue legal action against WBD's board if it believes its proposal is superior and was not chosen, which WBD has acknowledged as a possibility [8]. - Legal expert Raul Gastesi notes that Paramount may seek remedies through shareholder derivative suits or direct lawsuits, although some analysts believe Paramount would prefer to increase its offer to avoid litigation [10]. Group 4: Alternative Strategies - If Paramount's current offer fails to gain sufficient support, it may choose to withdraw and redirect its resources towards other acquisitions or investments in technology and content development [11].
Paramount Tells Lawmakers That Netflix-WBD Merger Is “Presumptively Unlawful”
Deadline· 2026-01-09 15:27
Core Viewpoint - Paramount's legal officer argues that Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) assets is "presumptively unlawful," claiming it would strengthen Netflix's dominance in the streaming market [1][2] Group 1: Legal and Regulatory Context - Paramount's chief legal officer, Makan Delrahim, submitted a letter to a House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, asserting that the Netflix-WBD combination raises antitrust concerns [1] - The letter coincided with a hearing on the streaming market, where the sale of WBD was a key topic among lawmakers and expert witnesses [1] - Delrahim criticized the broader market definition that includes platforms like YouTube and TikTok as substitutes for premium content, labeling it "tortured and absurd" [2] Group 2: Market Competition and Definitions - Delrahim contended that Netflix previously did not view YouTube as a competitor, referencing its own securities filings that compared Netflix to actual streaming competitors [2] - The outcome of the regulatory review will depend on how the government defines the competitive landscape, whether narrowly focused on subscription streaming or broadly including other platforms [1] Group 3: Transaction Details - Warner Bros. Discovery recently entered into a deal with Netflix, involving the sale of studio and streaming assets, while WBD's cable channels will be spun off into a separate entity [3] - Congressional lawmakers have oversight over the Justice Department but lack direct authority to approve or reject the transaction, which will also be reviewed by European regulators and state attorneys general [4]
Why Is Paramount Stock Up Today?
Investing· 2026-01-09 12:17
Group 1 - The article provides a market analysis focusing on Warner Bros Discovery Inc and Paramount Skydance Corp, highlighting their performance and strategic positioning in the media industry [1] - It discusses the competitive landscape of the entertainment sector, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities faced by these companies in the current market environment [1] - The analysis includes financial metrics and projections, indicating potential growth areas and investment opportunities within the industry [1] Group 2 - Warner Bros Discovery Inc is noted for its diverse content portfolio and recent strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing viewer engagement and revenue generation [1] - Paramount Skydance Corp is highlighted for its innovative projects and partnerships that aim to expand its market reach and strengthen its brand presence [1] - The article suggests that both companies are adapting to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements, which could impact their future performance [1]
Why Paramount Skydance believes it has edge over Netflix in race to buy Warner Bros. Discovery
New York Post· 2026-01-08 22:10
Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance believes it has an advantage over Netflix in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), citing issues with Netflix's deal as a contributing factor to its confidence [1]. Group 1: Paramount's Position - Paramount and CBS's leadership, David and Larry Ellison, reaffirmed their commitment to a merger with WBD, offering a "hostile" bid of $30 per share, totaling $78 billion [2]. - The Ellisons argue that WBD is facing self-inflicted challenges, which have led to the rejection of their offer [2][11]. - Paramount's all-cash bid remains unchanged despite ongoing negotiations, with some investors, including Mario Gabelli, expressing preference for cash offers [12]. Group 2: WBD's Challenges - WBD criticized the Ellison's deal for relying on $85 billion in debt, labeling it a "leveraged buyout" and demanding personal guarantees from Larry Ellison [3][11]. - WBD's channels are under pressure due to cord-cutting trends, which have negatively impacted their market position [6][15]. - The launch of Versant, a spinoff from Comcast, has seen its stock drop nearly 30%, indicating market volatility in the sector [6]. Group 3: Netflix's Deal Dynamics - Netflix's offer includes $27.75 per share in cash and stock, with an additional promise of $3 per share from the planned sale of WBD's cable properties [5]. - Netflix's stock has lost over $150 billion in value recently, raising concerns among investors about the company's strategic direction [9]. - The potential merger of Netflix with WBD's HBO Max raises antitrust concerns, particularly given the relationship between Larry Ellison and regulatory figures [10].
华纳兄弟再拒派拉蒙天舞敌意收购要约
Xin Lang Cai Jing· 2026-01-08 22:05
(来源:沈阳晚报) 华纳兄弟探索公司在一份声明中称,其董事会一致认为派拉蒙天舞的收购要约不符合公司及股东的最佳 利益。公司董事会主席塞缪尔·迪·皮亚扎表示,董事会认为派拉蒙天舞的最新要约在多个关键方面仍明 显逊于华纳兄弟与奈飞达成的合并协议。 转自:沈阳晚报 美国华纳兄弟探索公司7日表示拒绝美国娱乐和媒体业巨头派拉蒙天舞公司修改后的最新收购要约,呼 吁股东继续支持流媒体巨头奈飞公司的收购方案。派拉蒙天舞与奈飞正在争购华纳兄弟探索公司。该交 易被广泛认为将改变好莱坞格局。 ...