New York Post·2025-10-09 23:02Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is attracting interest from multiple potential bidders, including Comcast and private equity firms, with a possible deal exceeding $60 billion [1][5][11]. Group 1: Potential Bidders - David Ellison, head of Paramount Skydance, is in discussions with private equity firms like Apollo Global Management to form a bid for WBD [1][9]. - Comcast, led by Chairman Brian Roberts, is reportedly considering a bid for WBD, especially after its cable properties are spun off into a separate entity named Versant [3][4]. - Apollo Global Management is seen as a key player in potentially financing Ellison's bid, having previously made a $26 billion offer for Paramount [12][17]. Group 2: Financial Considerations - The estimated value of a deal for WBD could exceed $60 billion, factoring in its $30 billion debt [11][18]. - Ellison is exploring alternative funding sources due to uncertainty regarding his father Larry Ellison's willingness to finance the acquisition [2][8]. - Zaslav, WBD's CEO, is seeking over $30 per share for the streaming and studio unit, which is a premium compared to the $22-$24 per share price tag mentioned by the Ellisons [18]. Group 3: Strategic Relationships - WBD's CEO David Zaslav has a strategic relationship with Comcast's Xfinity unit, which could complicate the bidding landscape [4][6]. - Insiders suggest that Comcast's interest in WBD's content and its HBO Max streaming service could make it a formidable competitor in the bidding process [4][6]. Group 4: Market Dynamics - The competitive landscape for WBD includes other potential bidders like Netflix and Amazon, as indicated by sources close to the situation [7]. - The restructuring of WBD into two units—streaming/studios and cable properties—adds complexity to the bidding process [18].