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Netflix vs. Paramount: What you need to know about the bidding war for Warner Bros.
Fastcompanyยท 2025-12-18 14:11
Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. is advocating for shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance in favor of a $72 billion buyout offer from Netflix, which it considers superior [1][5]. Group 1: Offers and Valuations - Paramount's offer is $30 per share, valuing Warner Bros. at approximately $77.9 billion, while Netflix's offer is $27.75 per share, valuing Warner at $72 billion [1][5][6]. - Paramount's bid includes a cash component and aims to acquire Warner's cable assets, which Netflix's offer does not include [5][6]. - Paramount claims its offer is about $18 billion more in cash than Netflix's bid [5]. Group 2: Regulatory Scrutiny - Both offers are expected to face intense scrutiny from U.S. regulators due to their potential impact on the entertainment landscape, including movie production and consumer streaming platforms [2][3][13]. - Concerns regarding the Netflix offer center around the size of the combined subscription service, as Netflix is already the largest streaming service globally [13][14]. - The Paramount deal may raise regulatory concerns regarding the consolidation of film and television studios, given the limited number of such entities remaining in the market [14]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The competition between Netflix and Paramount for Warner Bros. highlights the ongoing consolidation trend in the media industry, as companies seek growth through acquisitions [15][16]. - The involvement of high-profile investors, including Jared Kushner and funds from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, adds complexity to the Paramount bid [6][12]. - Analysts suggest that the presence of competing offers increases the likelihood of Warner Bros. being acquired, as it shifts the decision-making landscape [9].