Larry Ellison is throwing his personal fortune behind Paramount Skydance Corp.'s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., agreeing to provide an irrevocable personal guarantee of $40.4 billion in equity financing for the offer and any damages claims against Paramount. Paramount also offered to increase its regulatory reverse termination fee to $5.8 billion from $5 billion. Warner Bros. would have to pay $2.8 billion to Netflix if it backs out of its deal and goes with another suitor, according to terms of the ...

Core Insights - Paramount is attempting to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, while Warner Bros. is pursuing a deal with Netflix, which has agreed to acquire it for over $80 billion [2][4] - Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, has personally guaranteed over $40 billion of equity financing for Paramount's offer, which may influence the acquisition dynamics [3][6] Group 1: Paramount's Offer - Paramount Skydance has revised its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery to address concerns raised by Warner Bros. in a letter to shareholders [2][7] - The current offer from Paramount stands at $30 cash per share, which Warner Bros. has labeled as "illusory" [6] Group 2: Market Reactions - Following the announcement of the personal guarantee by Larry Ellison, shares of Paramount rose by more than 5%, while Warner Bros. shares increased by approximately 3%, and Netflix shares fell by about 1% [5][6] Group 3: Financing and Stakeholder Involvement - RedBird Capital Partners, a stakeholder in Paramount, is providing financing for the proposed deal, with a personal guarantee from Larry Ellison to support the equity financing [6]

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shareholders are faced with a decision to tender their shares to Paramount for $30 in cash or to stick with the board's recommendation to sell the company's studio and streaming assets to Netflix for $27.75 per share [1][2][3]. Group 1: Shareholder Decisions - Shareholders have until January 8 to tender their shares to Paramount, although this deadline may be extended [2]. - If Paramount acquires 51% of WBD shares, it would gain control of the company despite the board's agreement to sell assets to Netflix [3]. - The decision to tender shares presents a game theory element, as shareholders may prefer a bidding war rather than focusing solely on the best buyer [4]. Group 2: Reasons to Tender - Two main reasons for shareholders to tender their shares to Paramount include the belief that Paramount's $30 offer is more valuable than Netflix's bid and the desire to instigate a bidding war [5]. - Shareholders may perceive a higher likelihood of regulatory approval for Paramount's offer compared to Netflix's, especially given the potential value of Discovery Global [6][10]. - Paramount's all-cash offer is seen as more straightforward compared to Netflix's bid, which includes equity with uncertain value [8]. Group 3: Reasons Not to Tender - Some shareholders may prefer not to tender their shares to encourage a bidding war, believing that Paramount will raise its bid if it sees limited interest [12]. - There are concerns that the Netflix proposal, which includes equity, may ultimately be more valuable if a mystery buyer emerges for Discovery Global [13]. - Ensuring WBD splits Discovery Global is viewed as a safer option in case regulatory hurdles block a Paramount-WBD merger [14][15]. Group 4: Financing and Regulatory Concerns - Paramount has made adjustments to its financing structure to address concerns, including a personal guarantee from Oracle founder Larry Ellison for $40.4 billion [16]. - The financing for Paramount's bid involves significant contributions from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, raising potential regulatory scrutiny [20]. - WBD's board has expressed concerns about the source of funding for Paramount's bid, preferring more transparency regarding the Ellison family's financial commitment [18][19].

Core Insights - The ongoing battle for ownership of Warner Bros. Discovery involves Paramount Skydance and Netflix, with Paramount making a revised offer to address Warner Bros.' concerns [2][3][8] - Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, has personally guaranteed over $40 billion of equity financing for Paramount's offer, which may influence the outcome of the acquisition [4][7] - Investors are closely monitoring the situation, with Paramount's shares rising over 5% and Warner Bros.' shares increasing approximately 3% following the announcement, while Netflix's shares fell about 1% [5][6] Company Developments - Paramount Skydance has adjusted its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, responding to concerns raised by Warner Bros. in a letter to shareholders [3][8] - Warner Bros. previously described Paramount's offer as "illusory" and claimed there was "no Ellison family commitment of any kind" [7] - Netflix has secured $25 billion in financing to support its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery [7]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount is enhancing its hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery by securing an irrevocable personal guarantee from Larry Ellison, who is committing $40.4 billion to support the deal for his son's company [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Commitments - Larry Ellison has agreed to be responsible for $40.4 billion of equity financing for Paramount's offer, along with any damage claims [1]. - Paramount is increasing its breakup fee to $5.8 billion if the deal is blocked by regulators, matching Netflix's proposed transaction [2]. Group 2: Offer Details - Paramount's offer remains at $30 per share, with a total valuation of $77.9 billion for Warner's properties, excluding debt [3]. - The deadline for shareholders to tender their shares has been extended to January 21 [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Warner's board has criticized Paramount's offer, urging shareholders to support a cash-and-stock deal with Netflix valued at $72 billion [3][4]. - Despite the criticism, Paramount maintains that its offer is superior for maximizing value for Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders [3]. Group 4: Market Reaction - Shares of Paramount-Skydance rose nearly 7% in morning trading, while Warner Bros. Discovery stock increased by over 2%, and Netflix shares fell by almost 0.7% [4].

Core Viewpoint - A significant increase in multi-billion-dollar deals is prompting bankers and advisers to prioritize work over holiday vacations, indicating a busy period in the investment banking sector [1] Group 1 - The surge in deal-making activity is leading financial professionals from Wall Street to Canary Wharf to prepare for a demanding schedule [1] - Bankers and advisers are packing laptops alongside holiday presents, highlighting the urgency and importance of ongoing transactions [1] - The upcoming two weeks will see many professionals cut short their holiday plans to accommodate the influx of deals [1]

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has stepped in to personally guarantee $40.4 billion in Paramount Skydance's latest effort to pry Warner Bros Discovery away from selling its prized Hollywood assets to... ...

Group 1 - Netflix has secured $25 billion in new bank financing to replace part of its $59 billion bridge loan for acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery's studios and streaming business [1][2] - The refinancing includes a $5 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility and two senior unsecured delayed-draw term-loan facilities of $10 billion each [2] - The acquisition deal with Warner Bros. Discovery has an equity value of $72 billion, or $27.75 per share, with an enterprise value of $82.7 billion, expected to close after the separation of WBD's global networks business in Q3 2026 [4] Group 2 - Paramount has amended its hostile tender offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, addressing concerns from WBD's board, which preferred Netflix's deal [2][5] - Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, has provided a personal guarantee of $40.4 billion for Paramount's cash offer, which has been raised to $30 per share [5] - WBD stockholders have until January 20 to tender their shares directly to Paramount [6]

Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison is raising the stakes in the battle for Hollywood’s future, personally intervening to salvage his son David Ellison’s hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. On Monday, David’s company, Paramount Skydance, announced the elder Ellison had provided an “irrevocable personal guarantee” of $40.4 billion to finance the deal, directly countering claims that the company’s funding was unreliable.​ It’s the latest turn in the high-profile tug-of-war for Warner Bros. Discovery ...

Shares in Paramount Skydance (PSKY) and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) spiked Monday morning after Larry Ellison, the centibillionaire founder and executive chairman of Oracle (ORCL), agreed to personally backstop $40.4 billion in equity financing for Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Paramount shares rose by more than 5% in early trading Monday, while Warner Bros. shares rose over 4%. In a securities filing Monday morning, Paramount Skydance — led by Larry Ellison's son, David Ellison — sa ...