Netflix is expected to revise the terms of its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, making an all-cash bid for the company’s studios and streaming businesses.
The move, first reported by Bloomberg, is meant to speed up a deal in the face of stiff competition from rival bidder Paramount Skydance and to make it more palatable to WBD shareholders.
Under the original deal, Netflix bid $82.7bn for WBD, offering WBD shareholders $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix common stock. However, since the company’s pursuit of WBD began in October, Netflix shares have lost about a quarter of their value.
If Netflix were to make its offer all-cash, a WBD shareholder vote on the deal could take place as early as late February or early March, rather than in spring or summer as expected. Deals comprised of stock typically take longer.
The news came just days after Paramount Skydance said it was suing WBD and CEO David Zaslav to seek more information about why the company’s board continues to reject its $108.4bn takeover offer in favour of Netflix.
Paramount’s bid has been backstopped by a personal $40bn guarantee by Larry Ellison, a Co-Founder of Oracle.
US President Donald Trump recently added his voice to concerns about Netflix's planned $83bn deal to buy Warner Bros Discovery. Discover more here.
Analysts say Banijay All3 merger is "bang on trend"
Banijay Group and RedBird IMI have agreed to merge Banijay Entertainment and All3Media to create a global media and entertainment company called Banijay.
Paramount plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount+
Paramount+ and HBO Max will be merged into one streaming service, according to David Ellison, CEO of Paramount.
Tilly Norwood creator makes key hire amid plans to ramp up business
Tilly Norwood AI talent studio Xicoia – founded by Particle6 CEO Eline van der Velden – has made its first major hire, bringing in former Amazon Prime Video executive Mark Whelan as Head of Strategy and Operations.
Winter Olympic Games 2026 is most-watched ever for European broadcasters
The Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina have achieved strong results for European public service broadcasters.
Jonathan Allan to step down from Channel 4
Channel 4’s interim Chief Executive Jonathan Allan is to leave the organisation after 15 years.
