Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is likely to reject Paramount Skydance's $108.4bn hostile bid, according to reports.
The WBD board has yet to make a final decision on Paramount’s bid, but is expected to meet next week. It is likely to continue to favour Netflix’s $82.7bn offer, according to Reuters and CNBC.
While lower, Netflix’s offer has a clearer financing structure and fewer execution risks, according to analysts.
Paramount, however, has argued its bid would face fewer regulatory obstacles.
Before Christmas, Oracle Co-Founder Larry Ellison sought to bolster Paramount’s bid by saying he would personally guarantee $40.4bn for its hostile bid for WBD.
Warner Bros' board previously urged shareholders to reject Paramount's bid, citing concerns over financing certainty and the absence of a full guarantee from the Ellison family.
Netflix’s cash and stock transaction is for the Warner Bros studio and its streaming services, including HBO. Paramount Skydance is offering to buy all of WBD.
Some WBD shareholders think that Paramount might sweeten its offer further.
BBC names Directors of Entertainment and Factual
The BBC has restructured its unscripted commissioning department, naming Ed Havard as Director of Entertainment and Fiona Campbell as Director of Factual.
Rai sports boss resigns after Winter Olympic commentary errors
Paolo Petrecca, Director of Rai Sport at Italian state broadcaster Rai, has resigned after a series of commentary errors during the Milano-Cortina Olympics opening ceremony.
WBD mails definitive proxy statement to finalise Netflix merger
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will hold a special meeting of shareholders to vote on the merger with Netflix on March 20, 2026. In the meantime, WBD has begun mailing the definitive proxy statement to shareholders for the meeting.
Sky's talks to acquire ITV slow down
Talks by Sky to acquire ITV’s broadcast channels and streaming platform have slowed in recent weeks, according to a report by Reuters.
Bytedance pledges to rein in Seedance AI tool
Chinese technology giant ByteDance has pledged to curb its controversial artificial intelligence (AI) video-making tool Seedance, following complaints from major studios and streamers.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)