By Dawn Chmielewski Feb 24 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery opened the door on Tuesday to Paramount Skydance after the rival bidder raised its offer to $31 per share. The intense bidding war for the studio behind Batman and Harry Potter has reached a fever pitch, with the board signaling that Netflix may lose ‌its place as the preferred suitor. Paramount enticed Warner's board back to the bargaining table last week by raising the possibility of an improved cash offer ‌for Warner shareholders. In its ...

Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed today it had a received a revised offer from Paramount and is reviewing it in consultation with our financial and legal advisors. It did not disclose the terms of the new bid. The Pararmout proposal on the table for some time has been for $30 a shares in cash but Paramount has bumped that up. “We will update our shareholders following the Board’s review. The Netflix merger agreement remains in effect, and the Board continues to recommend in favor of the Netflix transaction ...

company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, statements about the tender offer and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the management of WBD and Netflix and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties outside of our control.Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements are the following: (1) the completion of the proposed ...

Few companies have had such an impact on the media industry as Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). It's a pioneer in subscription video on demand, and its model is now an essential piece of every media company's strategy. The pressure it has put on traditional cable television and theatrical releases has also led to significant industry consolidation over the last decade-plus. Now, Netflix itself is at the center of a big media merger. The company agreed to acquire most of Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) late la ...

Core Viewpoint - The UK government announced that streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ will be required to follow the same content and accessibility regulations as traditional broadcasters, aiming to protect audiences and ensure accurate news reporting [1]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - Streaming services with over 500,000 UK users must adhere to new standards set by Ofcom, which include accurate and impartial news reporting and protection against harmful content [1]. - The inclusion of streaming services under Ofcom's broadcasting code is intended to safeguard audiences from harmful content and ensure accessibility services, such as subtitles, are provided [1]. Group 2: Market Context - Approximately two-thirds of UK households subscribe to at least one major streaming service, with 85% of people using an on-demand service monthly, compared to 67% who watch live TV [1].

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Netflix is still growing at a rapid clip. But as competition intensifies, how sustainable is its growth story?Shares of streaming leader Netflix (NFLX 3.42%) have gotten off to a rough start in 2026. As of this writing, the stock has fallen about 19% year to date and lost more than a third of its value over the last six months.Interestingly, however, the underlying business is doing quite well, with its year-over-year revenue growth rate accelerating for three quarters in a row. The question, however, is wh ...

“Titanic” and “Avatar” director James Cameron has reportedly expressed his apprehensions about Netflix‘s (NASDAQ:NFLX) proposed purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery‘s (NASDAQ:WBD) film studio in a letter. Cameron sent a letter to Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) last week, cautioning that the acquisition could lead to significant job losses in Hollywood and fundamentally change the U.S. theatrical landscape. He also expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on one of America’s largest export sectors, CNB ...

Paramount previously offered $30 per share in its bid for Warner Bros - Mike Blake/Reuters Warner Bros has confirmed it has received an increased takeover bid from Larry Ellison’s Paramount, but suggested it was still in favour of a rival $83bn deal with Netflix. The Hollywood studio said it was reviewing a revised offer from Paramount on Monday and would update shareholders once the review is complete. But the company added: “The Netflix merger agreement remains in effect, and the board continues to r ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix is initiating a strategic charm offensive in response to political tensions and regulatory scrutiny surrounding its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming and studio units, particularly after controversial comments from a board member [1][5][19]. Group 1: Netflix's Acquisition Strategy - Netflix is pursuing a $73 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming and studio units, which is critical for its growth strategy [5][12]. - The deal is facing scrutiny from the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding potential antitrust violations, particularly concerning the combination of Netflix's leading streaming service with HBO Max, which ranks third [5][13]. - Netflix's CEO Ted Sarandos may meet with former President Trump to address the political backlash and regulatory concerns stemming from comments made by board member Susan Rice [3][15]. Group 2: Political and Regulatory Context - Susan Rice's comments about corporate accountability in relation to the Trump administration have sparked a backlash, leading Trump to threaten to derail the Netflix-WBD deal unless Rice is dismissed [4][19]. - The DOJ has intensified its inquiry into Netflix's business model, raising concerns about its potential monopoly status under antitrust laws [6][14]. - Rival Paramount Skydance is making a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, complicating Netflix's acquisition efforts and increasing competitive pressure [2][11]. Group 3: Market Reactions and Future Implications - Paramount Skydance has submitted a final offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, previously considering a bid of around $32 per share, which could escalate to nearly $85 billion [2][11]. - The outcome of the bidding process and regulatory review will significantly impact Netflix's market position and future growth prospects [12][13]. - Shareholders will have a decisive role in the acquisition process, with a vote scheduled for March [12].