Paramount Skydance is staring down a key deadline in its pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery, but it doesn't need to make a move quite yet. David Ellison and company have been able to negotiate directly with WBD's leadership team in recent days for the first time in months — thanks to Netflix, Paramount's rival in the bidding war.Netflix granted WBD, its deal partner, a weeklong waiver on negotiation exclusivity that expires at midnight on Monday. The company said it hoped these talks between Paramount and WB ...

In the middle of a high-stakes media merger, Netflix has found itself starring in a different drama: a president demanding a boardroom purge. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump used his social media megaphone to demand that Netflix fire “racist, Trump Deranged” board member Susan Rice — “IMMEDIATELY” — or “pay the consequences.” He added, “She’s got no talent or skills - Purely a political hack! HER POWER IS GONE, AND WILL NEVER BE BACK. How much is she being paid, and for what???” Netflix, mind y ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix's co-CEO Ted Sarandos emphasized that the company's bid to acquire Warner Bros. is a business decision, not a political one, in response to President Trump's call to remove Susan Rice from its board [1][2]. Group 1: Company Response - Sarandos stated that the deal is overseen by the Department of Justice in the US and regulators globally, indicating that it is subject to regulatory scrutiny [1]. - He noted that Trump's social media comments are part of the president's behavior, suggesting that the company will focus on its business objectives rather than political pressures [2]. Group 2: Market Context - Netflix is currently competing with Paramount to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, with the deal requiring approval from the Department of Justice's antitrust division [7]. - Sarandos described the acquisition as a "vertical merger," which would enhance the market by adding new assets to Netflix's portfolio [8]. - Paramount is also pursuing a bid for Warner Bros., with a deadline to increase its offer, highlighting the competitive landscape in the media industry [9].

Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-chief executive, says Gulf states will probably have editorial influence - Kevin Dietsch/Getty The boss of Netflix has hit out at a rival Middle East-backed takeover bid for Warner Bros, claiming that foreign state ownership of media companies is a “bad idea”. Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive of Netflix, has criticised the involvement of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in Paramount’s $108bn (£80bn) offer for Warner Bros, highlighting restrictions on free speech ...

随着派拉蒙为收购华纳兄弟探索提交最终最佳报价的截止日期临近，Netflix股价盘前下跌0.4%，而派拉 蒙股价上涨0.8%。这两家流媒体公司正为争夺该媒体巨头而展开激烈竞争，此前华纳兄弟探索在接受 了Netflix对其流媒体和制片业务的全现金收购要约后，拒绝了派拉蒙提出的每股30美元的收购提议。美 国总统特朗普表示，如果Netflix不将其董事会中的民主党人Susan Rice除名，该公司将"承担后果"。交 易观察人士认为此举意义重大，因为任何潜在交易都需要得到特朗普政府的批准。华纳兄弟探索股价上 涨0.2%。 来源：滚动播报 ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix's CEO Ted Sarandos defends the company's $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) assets, arguing it will foster growth in the entertainment industry, contrasting it with rival Paramount Skydance's counteroffer which he claims would harm the market [1][2] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Netflix's acquisition includes a movie studio and distribution entity, which the company currently lacks, while Paramount plans to cut $6 billion from its business immediately [2] - Paramount's bid for WBD is valued at $108.4 billion, supported by a $40 billion personal guarantee from Larry Ellison, while Netflix's offer focuses on WBD's studio and streaming platforms, with other assets being spun off separately [4] Group 2: Industry Impact - Critics argue that both Netflix and Paramount's proposals would lead to excessive consolidation of power, negatively impacting consumers and creators [5] - Sarandos emphasizes that a Paramount takeover would result in a "classic, horizontal media merger," which is detrimental to the industry [5] Group 3: Contribution to UK Industry - Sarandos highlights Netflix's commitment to the UK creative community, stating that all teams involved in their productions are British, with 59 productions currently underway in the UK, of which only 17 are non-British projects [6][7] - He cites successful British productions like "Baby Reindeer" and "Adolescence" as examples of how Netflix supports local storytelling [7][8]

特朗普的威胁可能会让奈飞收购华纳兄弟探索流媒体业务与电影制片厂的监管审批之路变得更加复杂。 作者：马丁・皮尔斯 特朗普的威胁可能会让奈飞收购华纳兄弟探索流媒体业务与电影制片厂的监管审批之路变得更加复杂。 作者：马丁・皮尔斯 美国总统唐纳德・特朗普要求奈飞将前拜登政府官员苏珊・赖斯逐出董事会，"否则将付出代价"。此 前，赖斯在一档播客节目中表示，如果今年秋季民主党赢得众议院控制权，"将启动问责议程"，违法企 业将被 "追究责任"。 特朗普的这一威胁，可能会让奈飞收购华纳兄弟探索流媒体业务与电影制片厂的监管审批计划变得更加 复杂。奈飞正与派拉蒙探索展开竞争，而派拉蒙探索的控股股东埃里森家族，被认为与特朗普的关系更 为密切。 在播客节目中，赖斯点名批评了哥伦比亚广播公司等媒体，称其即便对特朗普政府的诽谤诉讼拥有 "非 常有力且正当的抗辩理由"，仍选择支付巨额赔偿金达成和解。她还表示，民主党不会 "像他们那样违 法，但我们也不会当冤大头"。特朗普在 "真实社交" 平台上的发文，是对劳拉・卢默此前言论的回应 —— 卢默呼吁特朗普 "立刻叫停奈飞与华纳兄弟的合并交易"。 责任编辑：郭明煜 美国总统唐纳德・特朗普要求奈飞将 ...

【#特朗普施压奈飞# 把前民主党政府高官赶出董事会】#特朗普逼奈飞赶人# 美国流媒体巨头奈飞公司 收购华纳兄弟探索公司部分资产一事再遇政治阻碍。美国总统特朗普施压奈飞，要求把曾多次在民主党 政府任要职的苏珊·赖斯赶出董事会。特朗普上周末在社交媒体发文，称赖斯是"种族主义者"、民主党 籍前总统奥巴马和拜登的"政治黑客"，且"无才无能"，奈飞应"立即"赶走她，"否则后果自负"。赖斯 2021年至2023年在拜登政府出任白宫国内政策委员会主任，2009年至2017年在奥巴马政府先后出任美国 常驻联合国代表和总统国家安全事务助理。更早时候，她在另一民主党籍总统克林顿执政时期出任负责 非洲事务的助理国务卿等职务。她2018年至2021年任奈飞董事，2023年重回奈飞董事会。据美国《国会 山》日报报道，赖斯19日在一档播客节目中警告那些向特朗普政府"卑躬屈膝"的企业、大学和媒体等， 称民主党人一旦重新掌权，将追究它们的责任。赖斯批评这些企业和机构出于"非常短期的自我利益"屈 从于特朗普政府，称别指望民主党人会"原谅或忘记"它们的所作所为。在赖斯看来，今年11月国会中期 选举后，美国当前政局有望改变，因为选民并不欢迎特朗普 ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix is seeking President Trump's approval in its efforts to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, while Trump demands the removal of board member Susan Rice [1][4]. Group 1: Trump's Influence - Trump's involvement in corporate governance has become a norm, as he frequently instructs companies on personnel decisions [2]. - Despite lacking direct authority to block the acquisition, Trump can influence the situation by directing legal actions against Netflix on antitrust grounds [7][8]. - Trump's expectations for Attorney General Pam Bondi to act on his behalf indicate a potential for increased scrutiny on Netflix's acquisition efforts [8]. Group 2: Corporate Governance and Political Dynamics - Susan Rice's comments about accountability for corporate interests accommodating Trump may complicate Netflix's relationship with the Trump administration [9]. - The inconsistency of Trump's demands raises questions about the seriousness of his threats against Netflix and the potential implications for the merger with Warner Bros. Discovery [10][11]. - The current political climate allows for a president to exert pressure on companies, which could set a precedent for future administrations [12].

Core Insights - The battle for control of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) between Netflix and Paramount has intensified, with Netflix facing a $108 billion hostile takeover bid and scrutiny from the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding antitrust concerns [1][3][4] Group 1: Antitrust Investigation - The DOJ has issued a civil investigative demand to assess whether Netflix's proposed acquisition of WBD could substantially lessen competition or create a monopoly, potentially violating antitrust laws [3][4] - Recipients of the DOJ's civil investigative demand have until March 23 to provide necessary documents, coinciding with a special meeting of WBD shareholders to vote on Netflix's acquisition proposal [4] - Netflix's Chief Legal Officer has stated that the company operates in a highly competitive market and denies any claims of monopolistic behavior, asserting that their success is due to innovation and investment [7][9] Group 2: Market Dynamics - Netflix currently has 325 million paying subscribers, making it the most subscribed streaming service globally, while HBO Max has 128 million subscribers [9] - The competitive landscape is further complicated by Paramount's ongoing legal actions against the merger, indicating a contentious environment for media consolidation [4][5] - The timing of the DOJ's investigation aligns with heightened political scrutiny and public discourse surrounding the merger, including comments from political figures like Donald Trump [6][12] Group 3: Corporate Responses - Netflix executives appear to be relatively unfazed by the DOJ probe, viewing it as a routine part of the regulatory process [7][10] - Ted Sarandos, Netflix's Co-CEO, has publicly challenged Paramount to present a better deal, emphasizing confidence in the merits of their case regarding the merger [5][9] - The involvement of political figures, including Trump, adds a layer of complexity to the merger discussions, with mixed signals regarding support for the competing parties [11][12]