Warner Bros Discovery has informed its shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance's $108.4 billion (£80.75 billion) takeover bid. Paramount had previously claimed its offer was superior to a $72 billion deal that Warner Bros established with Netflix for its film and streaming businesses.
In a dramatic twist in the competition for control of one of Hollywood's most historic studios, Warner Bros' board has unanimously recommended rejecting the Paramount offer, asserting that the agreement with Netflix aligns with the company’s best interests.
The media giant put itself up for sale last October after receiving multiple expressions of interest from prospective buyers, including proposals from Paramount Skydance.
On December 5, Warner Bros Discovery confirmed it had reached a deal to sell its film and streaming divisions to Netflix. In a detailed legal filing, Warner Bros' board expressed that the offer from Paramount involves significant risks and rejected claims that the Ellison family, one of America's wealthiest families, is financially backing the bid.
Paramount is supported by the billionaire Ellison family, which maintains strong connections to the presidential office. Reflecting the shifting power dynamics within the entertainment industry, the Warner Bros board stated that Netflix’s offer is financially solid and offers superior long-term value for shareholders.
Netflix welcomed the board's recommendation, with co-CEO Ted Sarandos hailing the merger agreement as superior and in the best interest of stockholders. In a letter to Warner Bros shareholders, Netflix reiterated that its bid for Warner Bros features a transparent funding structure and minimizes regulatory risks.
Despite the current decision, there is potential for Paramount to present another offer, indicating that the takeover narrative enveloping Hollywood is far from concluded.
The week after Netflix announced its deal to acquire Warner Bros, Paramount Skydance launched a new offer aimed at the entire company, including its television networks.
A takeover of Warner Bros is expected to attract scrutiny from competition regulators in both the U.S. and Europe, as the new owner would gain a significant advantage in the competitive streaming market, accessing a vast library of films and TV shows, including iconic series such as Harry Potter, the MonsterVerse, and Friends, as well as the HBO Max streaming service.
Some industry insiders have criticized the potential merger with a rival, with the Writers Guild of America’s East and West branches calling for the merger to be blocked due to concerns about wage reductions and job losses that could arise, as well as a decrease in content availability for viewers.
