Deadlineยท2025-11-15 00:04Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is in the process of receiving preliminary bids for potential acquisition, with a deadline set for November 20, and various major players in the industry are expected to participate in the bidding process [1][2][3]. Group 1: Bidding Process - Preliminary bids for WBD are due on November 20, with interested parties required to submit first-round, non-binding offers [1]. - Companies like Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix have shown interest, with Paramount having made three overtures prior to the formal sale process [2]. - A second round of binding offers will follow the preliminary bids, and WBD aims to finalize a buyer by Christmas [3]. Group 2: Antitrust Concerns - Rep. Darrell Issa has raised concerns regarding a potential Netflix-WBD merger, warning that it could lead to antitrust issues and negatively impact consumers and industry jobs [2][5]. - The combined market share of Netflix and HBO Max would exceed 30%, which is considered problematic under antitrust law [5]. - There are fears that such consolidation would reduce incentives for new content production and major theatrical releases, potentially harming industry professionals [6]. Group 3: Industry Reactions - The Writers' Guild of America (WGA) has condemned the potential merger between Paramount and WBD, citing concerns over its negative impact on workers, competition, and free speech [8][9]. - The WGA has expressed intentions to block the merger, arguing that previous mergers in the media industry have harmed competition and wasted significant financial resources [9].