Warner Bros. To Be Bought By Netflix In $72 Bln Equity Deal
RTTNews·2025-12-05 13:52

Core Viewpoint - Netflix is acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery for an enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion, with an equity value of $72.0 billion, following the planned separation of Warner Bros. Discovery's Global Networks division into a new publicly-traded company [1]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes Warner Bros.' film and television studios, HBO Max, and HBO, with a deal valued at $27.75 per WBD share, comprising $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix common stock [2]. - The stock component of the deal is subject to a collar, where WBD shareholders will receive the agreed price if Netflix's 15-day volume weighted average stock price falls between $97.91 and $119.67 [3]. Financial Expectations - The company anticipates realizing at least $2 billion to $3 billion in cost savings per year by the third year and expects the transaction to be accretive to GAAP earnings per share by year two [4]. - The acquisition is expected to close after the separation of Warner Bros. Discovery's Global Networks division, projected to be completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 [4][5]. Strategic Implications - Netflix aims to combine its innovation and global reach with Warner Bros.' storytelling legacy, maintaining current operations and enhancing studio capabilities to expand U.S. production capacity and investment in original content [6]. - By offering a wider selection of quality series and films, Netflix expects to attract and retain more members, generating incremental revenue and operating income [7]. Future Outlook - The planned separation of Warner Bros. Discovery's divisions will lead to the creation of Discovery Global, which will include premier entertainment, sports, and news television brands globally [8]. - Co-CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, emphasized the potential to enhance storytelling by combining both companies' libraries of content [9].