David Ellison isn’t taking David Zaslav’s bait.The CEO of Paramount Skydance is extending a Jan. 21 deadline for shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery to accept his “hostile” offer for the company – but isn’t raising the $30-a-share price, On The Money has learned.On Tuesday, WBD’s wily CEO Zaslav not only touted that he’s getting all cash with Netflix’s $72 billion “winning” bid for his studio and streamer. He also tried to turn up the heat on PSKY CEO Ellison, moving up a shareholder vote on the Netflix ...

Group 1 - The European Union antitrust regulators are set to make a decision by February 10 regarding Alphabet's $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity company Wiz, which represents Alphabet's largest deal to date [1]

Apple will allow other app stores besides its own in the tech giant's iOS operating system in Brazil to settle a three-year case with the country's antitrust regulator CADE, both parties said on Tuesd... ...

This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Travel nursing agency Aya Healthcare abandoned its $615 million acquisition of staffing technology services provider Cross Country Healthcare last week after prolonged review from antitrust regulators. The Federal Trade Commission on Friday said it had identified “significant competitive concerns” with the acquisition. Cross Country said the 43 ...

Core Viewpoint - The Hollywood Teamsters oppose Netflix's $83 billion acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery, urging antitrust regulators to block the merger due to concerns over job losses, increased consumer prices, and negative impacts on the U.S. entertainment industry [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Reactions - The Teamsters argue that the consolidation of Netflix's streaming power would threaten the livelihoods of entertainment workers and that competition has historically benefited industry growth [2]. - A group of Hollywood producers has sent an anonymous letter to Congress warning of a potential economic meltdown in Hollywood if the merger proceeds [6]. Group 2: Netflix's Position - Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos defended the acquisition, stating it is a rare opportunity that aligns with the company's mission to entertain the world and bring people together through storytelling [3][4]. - Despite the acquisition announcement, Netflix's stock fell over 1%, indicating investor skepticism about the deal [5]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - Streaming accounts for nearly 50% of TV consumption, with Netflix holding an 8% market share, while competitors like YouTube have a larger presence [5][19]. - The potential merger raises questions about market definition and regulatory scrutiny, as both Democratic and Republican figures have expressed concerns about the deal [13][14]. Group 4: Financial Considerations - Analysts suggest that Netflix's offer for Warner Brothers Discovery may be on the higher side for a studio but lower for a streaming service, with a valuation of approximately 14 times year three cash flow [11]. - The deal's success may depend on how regulators define the market, which could influence the outcome of antitrust reviews [16][18]. Group 5: Investor Sentiment - Investors are questioning the necessity of the acquisition, given Netflix's strong revenue growth projections and cash flow potential without the merger [21]. - The stock could benefit regardless of the merger outcome, as a rejection might lead to a rally in Netflix's shares [23].

Core Viewpoint - The bidding process for Warner Brothers Discovery is ongoing, with multiple companies including Paramount, Netflix, and Comcast participating in the initial rounds of bids. Paramount is currently seen as having a strong position due to lower regulatory risks compared to the other bidders [1][7]. Bidding Details - Paramount's previous bid was approximately $23.50 per share, consisting of 80% cash and 20% stock, with indications that they may have improved their offer [2][3]. - The composition of Netflix's bid remains unclear, but it is described as "real," indicating serious interest despite potential regulatory complexities [4][3]. Regulatory Considerations - Both Netflix and Comcast may face significant antitrust scrutiny if they proceed with their bids, particularly due to the potential merger of major studios [5][7]. - Paramount is viewed as having less regulatory risk since it is the only bidder for the entire Warner Brothers Discovery company, unlike Netflix and Comcast, which would leave behind parts of the business [7]. Financial Implications - Comcast is exploring options to restructure its debt and may consider spinning off NBC Universal and its theme parks as part of the bidding strategy [9][10]. - The market perception of Warner Brothers Discovery's stock is currently low, trading at five times earnings, which suggests that earnings expectations are not being met [11][12]. Future Outlook - The bidding process is still in its early stages, and further developments are expected as companies refine their offers and address regulatory concerns [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet's Google is taking steps to facilitate the use of its online advertising technology for publishers and advertisers, in response to EU antitrust regulators' demands for the company to divest part of its advertising business [1] Group 1 - Google is offering enhancements to its advertising technology to support publishers and advertisers [1] - The move is seen as a defiance against EU antitrust regulators who have called for the company to sell off parts of its advertising operations [1]

Mergers & Acquisitions - Two major railroad giants are planning an $85 billion (850 亿) merger [1] - The merger aims to create the first transcontinental railroad system in the US [1] - Union Pacific intends to acquire Norfolk Southern [1] Regulatory Scrutiny - The deal will face significant scrutiny from antitrust regulators [1] - Regulators have set a high bar for consolidation in the railroad industry [1] Operational Concerns - Previous mergers in the industry have resulted in traffic and backups [2] - Norfolk CEO assures commitment to prevent recurrence of traffic and backups [2]

Core Points - Apple has modified its App Store rules and fees in the European Union following antitrust regulators' orders to eliminate barriers for customers to make purchases outside the store [1][2][3] - Developers will incur a 20% processing fee for purchases made through the App Store, which can be reduced to 13% for those in Apple's small-business program [1] - Developers who direct customers to external payment methods will face a minimum fee of 5% and a maximum of 15%, with no limit on the number of links they can use [2] - These changes are intended to help Apple avoid a potential fine of €500 million (approximately $570 million) imposed by EU regulators [3][4] - Apple plans to appeal the European Commission's decision, expressing disagreement with the required changes to the App Store [3]

Core Points - The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) proposed new digital regulations that may require Google to allow British users to choose rival search services [3][4] - The CMA's priority measures include implementing "choice screens" for users of key Google products like Chrome and Android, enabling easy selection and switching between search services [4][5] - Google may be designated with a "strategic market status" label, which would empower the CMA to impose targeted changes to Google's search operations in the UK [5][6] Group 1 - The CMA aims to ensure that Google's search results are fair and non-discriminatory, providing businesses with a means to complain about unfair treatment [7] - Publishers should have transparency and choice regarding how their content is utilized for AI services, particularly concerning AI-generated summaries in search results [7] - The CMA also seeks to facilitate the transfer of user data, such as Google search history, to other businesses, potentially fostering innovation in new products and services [8]