Xin Hua She·2025-12-09 12:42Core Points - Paramount Global has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, offering $108.4 billion in cash to acquire all shares from its shareholders, claiming that its proposal is superior to Netflix's [1][2] - Netflix's acquisition agreement with Warner Bros. includes a cash and stock deal priced at $27.75 per share, focusing on Warner's television, film production, and streaming businesses, while spinning off its cable operations [3][5] - The involvement of political figures, particularly former President Trump, adds complexity to the acquisition process, as he has expressed concerns over Netflix's potential market control [8][9] Paramount's Proposal - Paramount's offer bypasses the Warner Bros. board and proposes a cash payment of $30 per share, targeting all of Warner's assets, including CNN [2][3] - Paramount's CEO, David Ellison, emphasized that cash remains king and their offer exceeds Netflix's by $17.6 billion [3][5] - The proposal has undergone six rounds of bidding, increasing from an initial offer of $19 per share to the current $30 [3] Regulatory Considerations - Warner Bros. board rejected Paramount's bid due to concerns over financing, particularly the involvement of external financing partners, which could trigger scrutiny from the U.S. Foreign Investment Committee [5][9] - Paramount has assured that its financing partners would relinquish management rights post-merger, aiming to mitigate regulatory challenges [5] - Analysts suggest that while Paramount's cash offer is attractive, the high debt involved could pose risks for the merged entity [9] Market Dynamics - Both acquisition proposals raise antitrust concerns, given the significant market shares of Netflix and Warner Bros. in the streaming and media sectors [7][9] - The deadline for Warner Bros. shareholders to vote on Paramount's offer is set for January 8, with the possibility of an extension [9]