Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance has launched a hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) with an all-cash offer of $30 per share, which WBD previously rejected, amid concerns regarding Netflix's $72 billion acquisition of WBD's studio and streaming business [1][5][12]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Paramount's offer is supported by equity from the Ellison family and RedBird Capital, along with debt financing from Bank of America, Citi, and Apollo [2]. - The Netflix deal, valued at $82.7 billion including debt, aims to create a significant entity in Hollywood, combining over 400 million streaming subscribers from Netflix and HBO Max [5]. - Paramount argues that its bid offers superior value and a quicker path to completion for WBD shareholders [4]. Group 2: Regulatory Concerns - President Trump has indicated that the Netflix-WBD deal could face antitrust scrutiny, stating he will be involved in the approval process [6][7]. - The Netflix acquisition does not require FCC approval as it excludes broadcast stations, but it is likely to face intense scrutiny from the US Department of Justice and other global regulators [8]. - Senior White House officials have already discussed antitrust concerns regarding the potential merger between WBD and Netflix [14]. Group 3: Market Reactions and Implications - Senator Elizabeth Warren has labeled the Netflix-WBD deal an "anti-monopoly nightmare," reflecting broader concerns in the industry [15]. - Netflix has committed to continuing theatrical releases for WBD films, marking a significant shift for the streaming service [17]. - The acquisition follows a recent $8.4 billion merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global, which faced its own antitrust and political challenges [18].

Group 1: Market Overview - Markets are starting the week quietly, with stocks, gold, silver, and the dollar largely unchanged [1] - Crude oil prices have decreased slightly, along with bond prices [1] Group 2: Corporate Transactions - Netflix Inc. is facing potential antitrust concerns regarding its $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., as President Trump commented on the possible market power of the combined firm in the entertainment industry [2] - Antero Resources Corp. announced the acquisition of gas production assets from HG Energy II for $2.8 billion in cash, enhancing its access to wells in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia [4] - International Business Machines Corp. is acquiring Confluent Inc. for $11 billion to enhance its services and AI offerings [5] Group 3: Economic Indicators - China's trade surplus exceeded $1 trillion in November, with a 5.9% year-over-year increase in exports, despite a 29% drop in shipments to the US [5] - The trade surplus for the first 11 months of the year reached $1.08 trillion, surpassing the previous full-year record of $992 billion set in 2024 [5]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is making a hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery after losing a bidding war to Netflix for legacy assets [1][4]. Group 1: Bid Details - Paramount is offering an all-cash bid of $30 per share to WBD shareholders, which was previously rejected by WBD [2]. - The bid is supported by equity financing from the Ellison family and RedBird Capital, along with $54 billion in debt commitments from Bank of America, Citi, and Apollo Global Management [2]. Group 2: Market Reactions - Shares of Paramount increased by approximately 3% in premarket trading, while shares of Warner Bros. Discovery rose about 5% [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Netflix announced a deal to acquire WBD's studio and streaming assets for $72 billion, which has raised antitrust concerns due to the potential combination of two dominant streaming platforms [4][6]. - Comcast has also shown interest in bidding for WBD's streaming and studio businesses [4]. Group 4: Regulatory Considerations - Paramount executives believe their deal will face a shorter regulatory approval process due to the company's smaller size and favorable relationship with the Trump administration [5].

A Wall Street sign is viewed in front of the New York Stock Exchange.Eduardo Munoz | AFP | Getty ImagesThis is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox.Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:1. Secret SantaThe three major indexes are coming off back-to-back winning weeks, with the S&P 500 on Friday rising closer to records it set earlier this year. Stocks' advances came as investors geared up for the last Federal Reserve poli ...

>> GOOD MORNING, I'M VONNIE QUINN WITH YOUR BLOOMBERG BRIEF. MARKETS IN ANTICIPATION MODE AHEAD OF THE FED'S LAST INTEREST RATE DECISION OF THE YEAR ALONG WITH AN UPDATED ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS. PRESIDENT TRUMP RAISES MARKET SHARE CONCERNS AROUND NETFLIX'S PLANS TO ACQUISITION OF WARNER BROS. THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WILL REVIEW THE TRANSACTION. $1 TRILLION THAT'S CHINA'S TRADE SURPLUS IN NOVEMBER. JUST NOT TO THE U.S.. LET'S LOOK AT THE MARKETS FUTURES POINTED HIGHER. WE IN FACT GAINED 1% FOR THE NASDAQ 100. T ...

Core Viewpoint - The proposed $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix raises concerns regarding market share and regulatory approval, particularly from US President Donald Trump [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Netflix announced a $72 billion equity transaction to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes its film and television studios, HBO Max, and HBO [4]. - The total enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $82.7 billion, with a per share price of $27.75 for Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders, comprising $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix stock [5]. - Netflix has agreed to a $5.8 billion break-up fee if the deal is blocked by antitrust officials [1]. Group 2: Market Share Concerns - The merger could push Netflix's market share above the 30 percent threshold in the US, raising potential regulatory issues [3]. - President Trump highlighted that the acquisition would significantly increase Netflix's market share, which could complicate the approval process [2]. Group 3: Financial Expectations - Netflix anticipates realizing $2 billion to $3 billion in cost savings annually by the third year post-acquisition and expects the deal to be accretive to GAAP earnings per share by the second year [6]. - The acquisition is projected to close within 12-18 months, following the separation of Warner Bros.'s Global Networks division, expected to be completed in Q3 of fiscal 2026 [6]. Group 4: Market Reaction - Following the announcement, Netflix shares increased by approximately 1.01 percent to $101.25, while Warner Bros. shares decreased by 1.9 percent to $25.58 [7].

This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Google Play store consumers may finally be getting a payout from a $700 million settlement the tech giant agreed to pay two years ago. It resolved antitrust complaints filed in 2021 by consumers and 53 states and U.S. territories. Plaintiffs are notifying potential claimants this month about their potential recovery from the 2023 settlement covering ...

ToplinePresident Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed he met with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos at the Oval Office last week to discuss the streamer’s plans to acquire Warner Bros. studios and HBO Max, but signaled the deal could draw antitrust scrutiny, saying the two entities' combined streaming market share could “be a problem.”President Donald Trump said Netflix is a "great company" but its combined market share with Warner Bros. could be a problem.FilmMagicKey FactsSpeaking to reporters on the red carpet at ...

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Energy has agreed to divest six power plants and a minority stake in a seventh to resolve an antitrust complaint, facilitating its $26.6 billion acquisition of Calpine, which will position it as the largest wholesale power provider in the U.S. [1][2] Group 1: Antitrust Settlement - The U.S. Department of Justice and Texas filed a complaint stating that the acquisition would reduce competition, potentially increasing electricity costs by over $100 million annually in Texas and the PJM Mid-Atlantic region [2][3] - This settlement marks the first consent decree from the DOJ's antitrust division regarding an electricity merger in 14 years [3] Group 2: Regulatory Requirements - The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission mandated Constellation to sell four power plants, totaling nearly 3,550 MW, as a condition for approving the acquisition [4] - Constellation must finalize contracts to sell the assets within 240 days post-acquisition of Calpine [4] Group 3: Future Operations - Upon completion of the deal and compliance with the divestiture agreement, Constellation will control approximately 55 GW of diverse energy sources, while Calpine currently has about 27 GW [6]

Core Viewpoint - The proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros by Netflix has sparked significant backlash within the media industry, raising concerns about market dominance and competition [1][3][5]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Netflix, the world's largest streaming service, has agreed to acquire Warner Bros Discovery's TV, film studios, and HBO Max streaming division, with the deal expected to complete late next year [2]. - The acquisition is positioned as the largest media takeover in history, with implications for competition and market control [6]. Group 2: Industry Reactions - The Writers Guild of America has expressed strong opposition, arguing that the merger would violate antitrust laws, eliminate jobs, lower wages, and reduce content diversity [5]. - Republican Senator Roger Marshall has raised concerns about the implications for consumers and local businesses, emphasizing the need for regulatory scrutiny [6][7]. Group 3: Regulatory Considerations - President Trump has indicated he will be involved in the decision-making process regarding the deal, acknowledging potential problems related to market share and competition [1][11]. - The deal has attracted bipartisan criticism, highlighting the need for regulators to assess its impact on prices, choice, and creative freedom [6][7].