Paramount Skydance isn't ready to give up the fight for Warner Bros. Discovery. The David Ellison-run company just launched at $30 offer for all of WBD, even though Netflix agreed to buy WBD's streaming and studio assets last week."Paramount's strategically and financially compelling offer to WBD shareholders provides a superior alternative to the Netflix transaction," Paramount said in a statement on Monday morning. Netflix's offer to buy Warner Bros. and HBO "offers inferior and uncertain value and expo ...

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance has denied reports of collaborating with Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds on a $71 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, labeling the information as "categorically inaccurate" [1][2]. Group 1: Bid Details - The reported bid would value Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) at approximately $28.65 per share based on outstanding shares, with significant backing from the Ellison family and RedBird Capital [2]. - Each sovereign wealth fund was said to contribute $7 billion, while Paramount Skydance would provide $50 billion for the bid [3]. - WBD's board previously rejected multiple offers from Paramount, including a bid of up to $24 per share [3][9]. Group 2: Market Reaction - Following the initial report, shares of WBD increased by as much as 6.4% in New York, while Paramount shares rose by up to 3.7% [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Other companies, including Netflix and Comcast, are also expected to make offers for parts of WBD's movie and streaming business, with Comcast CEO Brian Roberts recently visiting Saudi Arabia to explore a potential bid [7]. - Paramount is currently viewed as the only party interested in acquiring WBD entirely, which could significantly reshape the media industry by merging two major movie studios and influential news networks [8]. Group 4: Company Strategy - WBD CEO David Zaslav is reportedly in favor of splitting the company into two, separating its profitable streaming and film assets from its struggling cable TV networks [11][12].

Company Overview - Paramount Skydance Corporation (PSKY) has a market cap of $11.3 billion and is a leading global media and entertainment company formed through the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media, producing and distributing various content through brands like Paramount Pictures, CBS, and Paramount+ [1] Earnings Expectations - The company is expected to announce its third-quarter results on November 10, with analysts predicting a profit of $0.49 per share, unchanged from the same quarter last year [2] - For the current year, analysts forecast a 4.6% drop in earnings from $1.54 per share in 2024 to $1.47 per share, but a growth of 6.1% year-over-year is expected in fiscal 2026, reaching $1.56 per share [3] Stock Performance - PSKY stock has increased by 62.3% over the past 52 weeks, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 16.9% gains and the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF Fund's 27.5% increase during the same period [4] Market Sentiment - Despite strong price momentum, the company has faced market volatility due to heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, leading to a 3.2% drop in PSKY shares on October 10 as concerns over trade relations and potential tariffs affected consumer sentiment [5] Analyst Ratings - The stock holds a consensus "Hold" rating, with 24 analysts covering PSKY, including one "Strong Buy," 15 "Holds," one "Moderate Sell," and seven "Strong Sells." The stock currently trades above its mean price target of $13.44, with a Street-high target of $20 implying a 19.6% premium from current market prices [6]

Group 1 - Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery are in discussions for a potential acquisition, primarily involving cash with some stock components [2][3] - The negotiations have been ongoing for weeks, but there has been little progress regarding the offer's price and structure [2][3] - Warner Brothers is considering a split of the company, which is expected to create value and attract higher bids for its studio and streaming segments [3][4] Group 2 - There is speculation that a potential bidder could offer a price exceeding what Paramount can currently propose, possibly around 24 billion in cash [4] - Paramount may eventually need to make its offer public if negotiations do not progress, allowing shareholders to exert pressure [5][6] - The board of Warner Brothers will ultimately decide on any offers based on shareholder interests and the potential value of the deal [8][10] Group 3 - The merger could create significant synergies, such as combining CNN and CBS, and producing a higher volume of films annually [9][10] - Paramount's stock performance has been relatively stable, but the company faces challenges in the linear network segment [10][12] - The current environment presents a unique opportunity for Paramount, as there are no other expected bidders for Warner Brothers at this time [10][11]

Core Insights - Paramount Skydance Corporation has appointed Makan Delrahim as Chief Legal Officer, effective October 6, 2025, to oversee legal, regulatory, compliance, and public policy matters [1][2][3] Group 1: Appointment and Role - Makan Delrahim will manage Paramount's Government Relations team and bring extensive experience from his previous role as Assistant Attorney General overseeing the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division [1][2][3] - Delrahim's background includes advising on high-profile transactions and complex litigation at Latham & Watkins LLP, where he provided legal counsel during the M&A process leading to Paramount's acquisition [2][4] Group 2: Leadership Perspective - David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, expressed enthusiasm for Delrahim's appointment, highlighting his strategic mindset and experience in navigating complex challenges as vital for Paramount's future [3] - Delrahim emphasized the dynamic nature of the media industry and his commitment to contributing to Paramount's leadership team during this transformative period [3] Group 3: Delrahim's Background - Delrahim has a distinguished career in antitrust law, having overseen numerous mergers and acquisitions and led initiatives for international antitrust cooperation during his tenure at the DOJ [5][6] - His previous roles include senior positions in various governmental agencies, showcasing his extensive experience in law and policy [6][7] Group 4: Company Overview - Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, is a leading global media and entertainment company with segments in Filmed Entertainment, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media, housing renowned brands such as Paramount Pictures and CBS [8]

Company Overview - Paramount Skydance Corporation (PSKY) has a market cap of $12.9 billion and operates in film, television, streaming, and interactive content [1] - The company is classified as a "large-cap" stock, with notable brands including Paramount Pictures, CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Pluto TV, and Paramount+ [2] Stock Performance - PSKY shares have decreased over 9% from their 52-week high of $20.86, but have increased by 55.3% over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 8.2% gain [3] - Year-to-date, PSKY stock is up 81.5%, significantly surpassing the S&P 500's 12.1% rise, and has risen 79.9% over the past 52 weeks compared to the S&P 500's 15.2% return [4] Financial Results - Following Q2 2025 results on July 31, PSKY shares rose 3.5% as adjusted EPS of $0.46 exceeded consensus estimates [5] - Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) revenues increased by 14.9% to $2.16 billion, with subscription revenues up 21.8% and Paramount+ reaching 77.7 million subscribers, alongside a 9% growth in ARPU [5] - DTC adjusted OIBDA improved by $131 million, supported by strong theatrical performance from "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning," which grossed over $590 million globally, and SG&A cost savings of 11.3% [5] Merger Activity - On August 7, Skydance Media and Paramount Global completed their merger to form Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (PSKY), combining Paramount's legacy content and distribution with Skydance's production and technology expertise [6]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve's recent 25bps rate cut and potential fiscal easing are expected to stimulate M&A activity, particularly in the TMT sector, which has shown resilience with a 33% increase in deal value to $146 billion [1] - Intellectual property (IP) is becoming a central asset in TMT M&A, influencing valuations and strategic directions, as companies seek to acquire content libraries and franchises to enhance user engagement and competitive positioning [2] M&A Activity Highlights - Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in 2023 is the largest gaming deal in history, allowing Microsoft to control significant IPs and become the third-largest gaming platform by revenue [3][4] - The deal was justified by the recurring monetization potential from subscriptions and in-game purchases, supported by Activision's 400 million monthly active users [4] - Skydance Media's merger with Paramount Global for $28 billion aims to create a media and technology leader, leveraging Paramount's extensive IP and streaming platforms to enhance distribution and production capabilities [6][7] Strategic Importance of IP - The integration of Activision's library into Microsoft's Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming has proven beneficial, with gaming revenue reaching $2 billion and Xbox content growing by 16% [5] - Paramount's acquisition of UFC for $7.7 billion is positioned as a strategic move to enhance its sports IP portfolio, transitioning UFC events from pay-per-view to subscription models, thereby increasing engagement and retention [9][10] - The valuation of IP in these transactions reflects a shift towards viewing IP as a recurring, ecosystem-driven asset rather than just a one-time revenue generator [16][20] Future Outlook - The long-term growth potential of the media industry remains strong, driven by increasing consumption and the central role of IP across various entertainment formats [22] - Companies must be cautious in their M&A strategies, ensuring they have the scale and platforms to fully leverage acquired IP, as today's high premiums could lead to future valuation challenges [23]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is preparing a significant bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, potentially valuing the company at up to $24 per share, with a proposed deal structure of 70% to 80% cash and the remainder in stock [1][3][4]. Group 1: Bid Details - The bid is expected to be in the range of $22 to $24 per share, significantly above Warner Bros. Discovery's current trading price of around $19 [1][4]. - The backing for the bid includes major cash support from Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who is the father of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison [1][9]. - Warner Bros. Discovery's stock saw a nearly 30% surge following the news of the planned bid, indicating strong market interest [5][11]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is reportedly seeking a bidding war to increase the company's valuation, aiming for a price target of $40 per share [4][5]. - The company has been burdened with debt since its 2022 merger and is struggling to compete with major streaming services like Netflix [12]. - The potential merger would create a powerful entity in the media landscape, combining assets such as HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros. Pictures with Paramount's existing portfolio [10][11]. Group 3: Market Context - The bid reflects the increasing pressure on legacy media firms as traditional cable subscriptions decline and streaming growth slows [11]. - Warner Bros. Discovery is considering splitting its operations into two publicly traded entities if its valuation expectations are not met [5][10]. - The proposed merger would require approval from regulatory bodies, including the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice, with anticipated antitrust scrutiny [14].

Core Viewpoint - The importance of technology finance has been increasingly highlighted since the Central Financial Work Conference proposed the "five major articles" of finance, with the Beijing Branch of China Merchants Bank actively responding to the high-quality development requirements of technology finance through the "Starry Sky" action plan [1] Group 1: Technology Finance Development - The Beijing Beiyuan Road Technology Finance Branch of China Merchants Bank has established a comprehensive service system for innovative enterprises, significantly aiding the growth of national-level specialized and innovative "little giant" enterprises [1] - The "Starry Sky" action plan categorizes over 40,000 technology enterprises in Beijing into five tiers, providing targeted financial services at different growth stages [2] - The plan includes five standardized financing products designed to support technology enterprises at various stages of development [2] Group 2: Customized Financial Solutions - The Beiyuan Road Technology Finance Branch offers customized services through a "one enterprise, one policy" approach, helping enterprises achieve significant growth from technological breakthroughs to global expansion [3] - A specialized loan of 100 million yuan was successfully matched for H Company, a specialized and innovative "little giant" in the medical device sector, to support its rapid development [4] - YH Company, a unicorn in the commercial aerospace sector, received long-term credit support from the branch, establishing a benchmark case for financial support for startups in this field [5][6] Group 3: Ecosystem Building - The Beiyuan Road Technology Finance Branch collaborates with industry authorities, technology parks, and venture capitalists to create a regional technology finance ecosystem [7] - The branch hosts events to facilitate communication among investment managers, brokers, and industry experts, exploring new development opportunities for technology enterprises [7] - The branch aims to deepen the "Starry Sky" action plan, optimize service systems, and innovate product models to provide quality financial services to more specialized and innovative "little giant" enterprises [7]

Potential Acquisition - Sky Dance is preparing a majority cash bid for Warner Brothers Discovery, potentially merging two major entertainment companies [1] - The deal could affect companies like HBO, CNN, CBS, and MTV, along with their respective movie studios [2] Deal Size and Financing - The enterprise value of Warner Brothers Discovery is estimated around $60 billion, including approximately $40 billion market cap and $20 billion debt [4][5] - Larry Ellison is expected to provide funding for Sky Dance to acquire the larger Warner Brothers Discovery [5] Strategic Rationale - David Ellison aims to modernize the media business by transforming media assets into technology companies [7] - There's speculation that Ellison might be interested in acquiring or partnering with TikTok to modernize media distribution [8][9] Regulatory and Competitive Landscape - Regulatory hurdles are anticipated due to the potential combination of two of the largest movie studios [16] - The Ellison's relationship with the Trump administration could potentially aid in getting the deal approved [17] Potential Synergies - A merger of CBS News and CNN is a possible outcome, potentially leading to resource sharing similar to NBC and MSNBC [14][15]