Paramount (PARA)
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David Ellison used political ties, deep pockets to buy Warner Bros.
The Economic Times· 2026-02-28 01:27
Ellison’s advisers were steeling for at least four more days of hard work. Netflix had the right to match the offer under the terms of its deal with Warner Bros., and Warner Bros. and Paramount announced they’d entered into a definitive merger agreement on Friday. The dramatic turnaround has positioned Paramount to acquire Warner Bros. in a $110 billion transaction that would make the Ellison family owners of one of the largest entertainment empires in the increasingly global industry. The combined company ...
Stocks Slide as Credit Stress, War and AI Fears Weigh | The Close 2/27/2026
Youtube· 2026-02-28 00:27
Market Overview - The S&P 500 is trending back toward unchanged for the year, currently down 5.7% [1] - There has been a recent flurry of selling in the market, although it is not as broad-based as previous sell-offs, indicating a rotation trade [2] - The private credit industry has grown to $2 trillion, raising concerns about the health of publicly traded asset managers [10][13] Private Credit Concerns - There are increasing worries about the private credit market, with reports of more issues related to redemptions and write-downs [13][19] - Analysts suggest that the current situation may be symptomatic of broader issues within the private credit sector, particularly regarding underwriting standards [20] - The private credit market is being scrutinized for potential contagion risks, despite its size being considered manageable [19][20] IPO Market Activity - Despite market challenges, the IPO market, particularly for biotech and pharmaceuticals, has seen double the pace of new issuances compared to the previous year [22] - Generate Biomedicine recently went public, highlighting the ongoing interest in biotech despite broader market volatility [22][25] Inflation and Economic Indicators - Recent Producer Price Index (PPI) data indicates rising input costs, with domestic input costs for machinery manufacturers increasing significantly [54][55] - The inflation outlook remains challenging, with expectations for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to reflect these pressures in upcoming reports [56][60] - There are concerns about consumer spending as rising prices may lead to a pullback in discretionary spending among lower-income households [61][63] AI and Market Sentiment - The uncertainty surrounding AI and its impact on various sectors is contributing to market volatility, with investors questioning the sustainability of valuations in the tech space [6][84] - The geopolitical landscape and inflationary pressures are also influencing market sentiment, leading to a flight to safety among investors [4][6]
Paramount to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in $110B Deal; Trump Bans Anthropic AI and Markets Slide
Stock Market News· 2026-02-27 21:38
Key TakeawaysParamount Global (PARA) has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) for $31 per share, representing a massive $110 billion enterprise valuation.President Trump ordered all federal agencies to immediately cease using Anthropic’s AI technology, citing "woke" policies and national security concerns.U.S. equity markets closed lower on Friday, with the Dow Jones falling over 560 points while the KBW Bank Index (BKX) plunged 4.9%.The Supreme Court issued a landmark decision on tariffs that Tru ...
Massive Merger Confirmed: Paramount And WBD Reveal Details Of $110 Billion Deal
Deadline· 2026-02-27 21:37
Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is officially merging with Paramount in a deal valued at $110 billion, with Paramount offering $31 per share in cash for WBD [1][4]. Group 1: Merger Details - The merger agreement has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, pending regulatory clearances and WBD shareholder approval [4]. - In the event the transaction does not close by September 30, 2026, WBD shareholders will receive a $0.25 per share "ticking fee" for each quarter until closing [4]. Group 2: Strategic Intent - The merged entity aims to produce a minimum of 30 theatrical films annually, enhancing consumer choice and empowering creative talent globally [2]. - The merger is positioned to unlock innovative storytelling opportunities across the combined company's film and television studios, streaming, and linear platforms [5]. Group 3: Leadership Statements - David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, emphasized the merger's purpose to honor the legacy of both companies while building a next-generation media and entertainment company [6]. - David Zaslav, President and CEO of WBD, expressed satisfaction with the outcome for WBD shareholders and the entertainment industry, highlighting the goal of maximizing the value of iconic assets [6].
WBD employees fear coming wave of job losses as Paramount tops Netflix's bid to acquire company
CNBC· 2026-02-27 20:17
The Warner Bros. Discovery board may have enriched its shareholders Thursday when it chose Paramount Skydance's acquisition offer over Netflix's, but it also terrified a lot of its employees.While some of those people own WBD shares and may prefer the financials of Paramount's $31-per-share bid to Netflix's $27.75-per-share offer, CNBC spoke to 10 WBD employees in a variety of different roles at the company. All 10, who asked not to be named for fear of potential backlash, expressed concerns about potential ...
Here's everything in the Ellisons' massive media empire if Paramount-Warner Bros. deal proceeds
New York Post· 2026-02-27 19:26
Core Viewpoint - The Ellison family, through Paramount Skydance, is positioned to create a significant media empire by acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, pending regulatory approval, which would integrate major assets like HBO, CNN, and a vast array of movie titles into their existing portfolio [1][10]. Streaming - The potential merger could lead to the integration of HBO Max, with nearly 130 million subscribers, and Paramount+, which has 79 million customers, into a single platform or offer them as bundled services, similar to Disney's model [2][3]. - Analysts suggest that keeping the platforms separate while offering package deals may be a strategy to attract more subscribers and advertisers without raising prices [4][6]. Movies and Studios - The acquisition would combine Warner Bros.'s iconic franchises such as "Harry Potter," "Batman," and "The Lord of the Rings" with Paramount's classics like "The Godfather," significantly enhancing their film catalog [12][19]. - Paramount would also gain substantial physical assets, including over 30 soundstages at Warner Bros.' 110-acre lot in Burbank, California [12]. Employment and Culture - Concerns have been raised regarding potential layoffs, particularly among CNN's 3,000 employees, as the merger could threaten newsroom independence and lead to significant job cuts [10][11]. - The Hollywood community is apprehensive about losing a major buyer of talent, which could impact the quality of productions [16]. Sports - The deal would enhance the Ellisons' sports broadcasting portfolio, adding TNT's rights to MLB, NHL, and other major sporting events, alongside existing CBS sports rights [20][25]. Financial Aspects - Paramount's winning bid included a "ticking fee" for shareholders worth $650 million, a $7 billion regulatory breakup fee, and a commitment to cover a $2.8 billion penalty owed to Netflix for breaking their previous agreement [23][24].
Netflix stock price rises along with Paramount while WBD falls. How the merger shakeup is impacting markets
Fastcompany· 2026-02-27 18:41
Group 1 - Paramount has revised its proposal to offer approximately $111 billion for all of Warner Bros. Discovery's assets [1] - The per-share offer from Paramount stands at $31, while Netflix's offer is around $27.75 per share [1] - The comparison between the offers is not straightforward, as Netflix is only interested in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery's movie and streaming divisions, including the Warner Bros. film studio and HBO Max [1]
The Battle For Warner Bros May Be Over, But Regulatory Scrutiny Of Paramount's Deal Is Not
Deadline· 2026-02-27 18:25
Paramount may have won the bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery, but the regulatory and political scrutiny is not over. Hours after Netflix announced that it would not offer a rival bid, California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta was out with a statement, reminding that his office still has a role in examining the merger, as attention has focused on the Trump Justice Department. “These two Hollywood titans have not cleared regulatory scrutiny — the California Department of Justice has an open investigation, and ...
Netflix says it's not buying Warner Bros. after all: ‘No longer financially attractive'
Fastcompany· 2026-02-27 16:41
Core Viewpoint - Warner's board has determined that Paramount's offer for acquiring Warner is superior to the previously agreed deal with Netflix, leading Netflix to withdraw from the acquisition due to financial unappeal [1] Group 1: Company Actions - Warner's leadership has consistently supported the deal with Netflix since December, even after acknowledging Paramount's superior offer [1] - Despite the new offer from Paramount, Warner's board maintained its recommendation in favor of the Netflix deal [1] Group 2: Industry Reactions - Netflix's co-CEOs expressed that while they would have been strong stewards of Warner's iconic brands, the acquisition was not essential at any price, indicating a strategic approach to investments [1] - The statement from Netflix's leadership highlights the importance of financial viability in acquisition decisions within the streaming industry [1]