Netflix (NFLX) shocked the entertainment industry and the stock market with its blockbuster bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) premium assets, including the iconic Warner Bros. studios, HBO, HBO Max, and a vast library of franchises like Harry Potter, DC Universe, and Game of Thrones. Announced on Dec. 5, the deal values the assets at approximately $72 billion in equity (with an enterprise value of $82.7 billion), structured as a mix of cash and stock. The move follows a competitive bidding pro ...

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has been in a strong uptrend since April as strategic restructuring, a commitment to reducing debt, and buyout offers renewed investor confidence in its streaming and content assets. In fact, the mass media and entertainment conglomerate is currently a top Nasdaq-100 ($IUXX) name despite being removed from the artificial intelligence (AI) boom that has driven much of the broader rally. More News from Barchart At the time of writing, WBD shares are up nearly 300% versus thei ...

Larry Ellison said he would provide an ‘irrevocable personal guarantee’ for the entire equity of Paramount’s offer - Toru Yamanaka/AFP or licensors The billionaire founder of Oracle has agreed to provide a personal guarantee of $40bn (£31bn) in an effort to revive Paramount’s hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Larry Ellison, an ally of Donald Trump and one of the world’s richest men, said he would provide an “irrevocable personal guarantee” for the entire equity of Paramount’s $108bn offer. Paramoun ...

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Each audio version of the “Harry Potter” series has its own personality. A full-cast recording is trying to cast a new spell over listeners. https://t.co/27twP5anNF ...

NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children's publishing, education and media company, today reported financial results for the Company's fiscal second quarter ended November 30, 2025. Peter Warwick, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Scholastic delivered strong performance in the second quarter and successfully executed on key strategic and financial initiatives. Book Fairs delivered a successful back-to-school season, with higher fair count ...

Warner Bros studios are behind hits such as Harry Potter and Succession - Mike Blake Warner Bros Discovery has accused Paramount of misleading investors as it urged them to reject the company’s hostile $108bn (£81bn) takeover bid. The Hollywood giant said Paramount, which is controlled by the billionaire Ellison family, had “consistently misled” investors about the structure of its offer, which is backed by three Gulf states. In a letter to shareholders, Warner Bros rejected claims that the Ellison fam ...

Warner Bros Discovery is poised to tell shareholders to reject Paramount’s $108bn (£81bn) hostile bid, according to reports, clearing the way for Netflix to proceed with its buyout of the Hollywood film and TV group.The board could announce a decision as early as Wednesday after Paramount Skydance – run by David Ellison and bankrolled by his billionaire father, Larry, who founded Oracle – went directly to shareholders with its rival offer almost two weeks ago.Netflix had won the auction for the studio and s ...

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 ...

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros is poised to reject a hostile $108 billion takeover bid from Paramount, as one of Paramount's financing partners has withdrawn from the offer, indicating a significant change in investment dynamics [1][2]. Group 1: Takeover Dynamics - The Warner Bros Discovery board is expected to advise shareholders to reject Paramount's bid, which would allow Netflix to proceed with its $72 billion deal [2]. - Paramount's offer includes a cash payment of $30 per share, which is $18 billion more than Netflix's offer, and is made directly to shareholders in a hostile takeover attempt [8]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The outcome of the takeover battle is crucial for gaining a competitive edge in the streaming wars, with Warner Bros planning to split into two companies to better manage its assets [5]. - If Paramount's bid succeeds, it would consolidate CBS and CNN under the same parent company, further reshaping the media landscape [8]. Group 3: Financial Details - Netflix's agreement is priced at $27.75 per share, totaling $72 billion, with the overall asset value reaching $82.7 billion [6]. - The involvement of significant financial backers, including funds from Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, highlights the international stakes in this acquisition [1]. Group 4: Regulatory Considerations - The final decision on the takeover will involve scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, which oversees business deals to ensure fair competition [11].