Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is likely to turn down Paramount Skydance Corp.’s hostile takeover bid worth $108.4 billion, Bloomberg and Reuters reported quoting people familiar with the matter.According to the Bloomberg report, the latest twist in the race for acquiring the production house comes amid Warner Bros Discovery's concerns regarding financing and other such terms.The board of Warner Bros Discovery is likely to reject the offer by Paramount Skydance as early as Wednesday and may ask shareholders to ...

Group 1 - Affinity Partners, founded by Jared Kushner, has decided to withdraw from the group of investors supporting Paramount's hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery [1][2] - Paramount's bid is valued at $108.4 billion for the entirety of Warner Bros. Discovery [5] - The bid is supported by the Ellison family and RedBird Capital, with other investors including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and the Qatar Investment Authority [3] Group 2 - Affinity Partners stated that despite their exit, they believe there is a strong strategic rationale for Paramount's offer [2] - Warner Bros. Discovery has already entered into a deal with Netflix for the acquisition of its movie and TV studio, HBO, and streaming assets, while cable channels will be spun off into a separate entity [5] - The board of Warner Bros. Discovery is currently evaluating Paramount's latest offer [5]

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is planning to reject Paramount Skydance Corp.’s hostile takeover bid due to concerns about financing and other terms, people familiar with the matter said.After deliberating and reviewing Paramount’s bid, Warner Bros.’ board will urge shareholders to reject the tender offer, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. The board still views the company’s existing agreement with streaming leader Netflix Inc. as offering greater value, certa ...

Paramount continues to take its case to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders after launching a hostile takeover offer to pry the company away from Netflix. “Dear Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholder,” Paramount CEO David Ellison wrote in an open letter published today, “we are the best stewards not only to build long-term value for the asset but also delight audiences and help cultivate a more vibrant creative community. We funded, founded and then merged Skydance with Paramount and know the sacrifices and in ...

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance has made a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) valued at $108 billion, directly targeting shareholders after WBD's board agreed to sell to Netflix for $83 billion [1][4]. Group 1: Paramount's Offer - Paramount is offering $30 per share for WBD, which translates to an enterprise value of $108.4 billion in an all-cash tender offer [6]. - Paramount's CEO David Ellison claims their public offer provides superior value and a quicker path to completion compared to Netflix's offer [5][6]. - The offer is positioned as more attractive to WBD shareholders, especially considering the potential struggles of the spinoff company that would consist of declining businesses [6][7]. Group 2: Netflix's Position - Netflix's accepted offer values WBD's equity at $72 billion, or approximately $82.7 billion including debt, with a cash component of $23.25 per share and $4.50 in Netflix stock [6]. - If the Netflix deal is blocked by regulators, they would incur a termination fee of $5.8 billion, while WBD would owe Netflix $2.8 billion if they back out [6]. - The hostile takeover by Paramount complicates Netflix's acquisition, as it may face regulatory challenges due to its larger market power compared to Paramount [8]. Group 3: Market Reactions - WBD's stock price has increased since the announcement of the Netflix deal, indicating a positive market reaction [10]. - There is speculation that if WBD shareholders accept Paramount's offer, Netflix may respond with a higher bid, potentially increasing costs for Netflix [9]. - The current market dynamics suggest that WBD shareholders might prefer to accept Paramount's offer, especially if regulatory hurdles arise for the Netflix deal [11].

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance's hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery has created significant management uncertainty for CNN and its associated cable networks, potentially leading to a prolonged period of instability [1][2][11]. Group 1: Management and Ownership Changes - CNN experienced a brief sense of relief when Netflix announced it would acquire Warner's studio and streaming businesses, as CNN would not be included in that deal [2]. - The announcement of Paramount's bid has reintroduced uncertainty, with the potential for a merger between CNN and CBS News if the bid is successful [2][9]. - CNN's management has acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty, with CEO Mark Thompson indicating that the transformation of CNN remains a priority despite the challenges [7]. Group 2: Market Position and Performance - CNN's television ratings have significantly declined, positioning it as the third-rated cable news network behind Fox News Channel and MSNBC [6]. - The growth of streaming services has rendered traditional cable networks less attractive, prompting Warner Bros. Discovery to consider spinning off its cable television networks, including CNN [5]. Group 3: Regulatory and Future Outlook - The regulatory landscape is expected to delay any resolution regarding CNN's ownership, with experts predicting that the Netflix deal could face over a year of regulatory hurdles [11]. - Regardless of which bidder ultimately acquires CNN, the network is anticipated to remain in a state of limbo for the foreseeable future [12].

Core Viewpoint - The competition between Netflix Inc. and Paramount Skydance Corp. for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. highlights the contrasting valuations of struggling cable TV networks, which significantly influence the bids being made [1]. Group 1: Bidding Details - Paramount has initiated a bidding war with a $30-per-share all-cash offer, valuing Warner Bros. at $108.4 billion, including debt [3]. - This bid aims to counter Netflix's previously announced agreement to acquire Warner Bros.' studios, streaming, and HBO businesses for $27.75 per share in cash and stock [3]. - The $2.25-per-share difference between the two offers is attributed to the valuation of Warner Bros.' struggling cable channels, which Paramount's bid includes while Netflix's does not [4]. Group 2: Valuation Insights - Paramount has suggested a value of $1 per share for the cable assets to Warner stockholders, while analysts estimate these assets may be worth closer to $4 [4]. - The perceived value of the cable assets directly impacts the attractiveness of Paramount's bid; a lower valuation favors Paramount, while a higher valuation could make Netflix's offer more appealing to investors [5]. Group 3: Financial Backing and Future Bids - Paramount is securing $11.8 billion from the Ellison family and $24 billion from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, with additional participation from RedBird Capital Partners and Affinity Partners [6]. - The bidding process may escalate further, as indicated by a message from one of Paramount's bankers suggesting that the $30-per-share offer is not their "best and final" proposal [6]. Group 4: Netflix's Position - Netflix has the option to match Paramount's offer if Warner Bros. determines it to be superior, with Netflix's co-CEOs expressing confidence in the approval of their deal [7].

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance Corp. has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. with the intention of countering Netflix Inc.'s recent acquisition deal [1][14]. Financing and Partnerships - The financing for Paramount's bid includes a $40.7 billion equity commitment backed by major investors such as RedBird Capital Partners, Larry Ellison, and sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi [2][10]. - A $54 billion bridge loan is being arranged, split equally among Bank of America, Citigroup, and Apollo Global Management [6][15]. - The financing partners have agreed to forgo governance rights, which Paramount believes will alleviate concerns from the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment [13]. Strategic Context - Paramount's bid of $30 per share in cash contrasts with Netflix's offer of $27.75 per share, which is supported by $59 billion in unsecured financing [14]. - Paramount's strategy includes a focus on obtaining an investment-grade rating for the combined company post-acquisition, with plans for deleveraging in the two years following the deal [15]. Historical Context and Negotiations - Paramount has made multiple overtures to Warner Bros. over a 12-week period, including direct meetings between executives [5]. - The initial proposal included financing from Tencent Holdings, which was later removed due to concerns from Warner Bros. [9]. Key Individuals - Larry Ellison, a significant backer of the bid, briefly held the title of the world's richest person and has substantial financial resources, including 1.16 billion shares of Oracle valued at approximately $252 billion [7][8]. - Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners has previously collaborated with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund on other high-profile deals, indicating a pattern of strategic partnerships [11].

Core Viewpoint - The proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix, valued at $72 billion, faces challenges due to a competing hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, which offers $77.9 billion in cash [1][2][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Netflix's bid includes $27.75 per share, comprising $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix stock, specifically for Warner Bros. Discovery's film and television studios, as well as HBO and HBO Max [6]. - Paramount Skydance's offer of $30 per share is presented as a "superior alternative," claiming to provide shareholders with $18 billion more in cash compared to Netflix's bid [4][5]. Group 2: Regulatory Scrutiny - The deal is expected to undergo significant regulatory scrutiny, with both Netflix and Paramount arguing their cases regarding market competitiveness [2][11]. - Paramount's CEO has positioned their offer as more favorable, while Netflix contends that the merger would not be anticompetitive, citing market share statistics [11][12]. Group 3: Financial Implications - If the agreement falls through, Netflix would incur a $5.8 billion breakup fee, while Warner Bros. Discovery would owe $2.8 billion if it accepts a competing proposal [13]. - The emergence of a hostile bid could lead to a bidding war, potentially increasing the acquisition cost for Warner Bros. Discovery [8]. Group 4: Market Reactions - Following the announcement of the hostile takeover bid, Warner Bros. Discovery's stock surged, indicating increased investor interest and potential volatility in the acquisition process [8].

Core Insights - Jared Kushner's private equity fund Affinity Partners is involved in Paramount's hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery, which is valued at $108 billion [3][4][9] - Paramount's bid of $30 per share exceeds Netflix's offer of $27.75 per share, with Paramount seeking the entirety of Warner Bros, while Netflix is focused on the studios and streaming business [9] Group 1: Involvement and Implications - The involvement of Jared Kushner is significant due to his relationship with Donald Trump, who has raised antitrust concerns regarding the Netflix-Warner Bros deal and stated he will personally oversee these issues [2][4][9] - Paramount's press release did not disclose Affinity's participation in the bid, raising questions about transparency [4][9] Group 2: Investor Composition - The consortium backing Paramount's bid includes notable investors such as Abu Dhabi's L'imad Holding Company, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), with financial backing from Bank of America, Citigroup, and Apollo Global Management [7] - China's Tencent, which was initially part of Paramount's bid, has withdrawn from the deal [7] Group 3: Governance and Strategy - Participants in the bid have agreed to forgo governance rights associated with their non-voting equity investments, which may help mitigate government scrutiny [6] - Paramount is led by David Ellison, whose family ties to Donald Trump have been noted, although the President has downplayed concerns regarding these connections [8]