New York Postยท2025-10-23 22:15Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration is favoring Paramount Skydance as the preferred bidder for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), while other potential bidders may face significant regulatory challenges [1][10]. Group 1: Paramount Skydance's Position - Paramount Skydance, led by CEO David Ellison, is positioned advantageously in the bidding process for WBD, which includes major assets like the top-ranked studio and the third-ranked streaming service [2][10]. - The Trump administration's support for Paramount Skydance is influenced by David Ellison's connections and past dealings with the administration [18][19]. Group 2: Competitors and Regulatory Hurdles - Other potential bidders such as Netflix, Amazon, and Comcast are seen as having various regulatory challenges that could hinder their bids, particularly concerning antitrust issues [5][8]. - Comcast's bid is complicated by its perceived anti-Trump bias through its network MSNBC, which may affect regulatory approval [6][11]. Group 3: Warner Bros. Discovery's Strategy - WBD CEO David Zaslav is attempting to appeal to the Trump administration to consider bids beyond Paramount Skydance, emphasizing free market principles [4][9]. - Zaslav has initiated a bidding process that could value WBD at up to $80 billion, with previous offers from Ellison being rebuffed [16]. Group 4: Financial and Political Context - Larry Ellison's wealth and his close relationship with Donald Trump are seen as factors that could facilitate smoother regulatory approvals for a deal involving Paramount Skydance [18][20]. - The political landscape and the administration's stance on media bias are critical considerations for WBD's board as they evaluate potential offers [12][15].