How Paramount brought its failing bid for Warner Bros. back from the brink - MarketWatch# How Paramount brought its failing bid for Warner Bros. back from the brink## Warner Bros. has given Paramount seven days to make a final offer after the company signaled it would raise its price to $31 a share on top of other deal sweeteners offered last weekPublished: Feb. 17, 2026 at 8:54 a.m. ETShareResize---Listen(4 min)Paramount Skydance convinced Warner Bros. to reopen negotiations after signaling it was finally ...

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has reopened negotiations with Paramount Skydance, allowing Paramount seven days to present its best and final offer to surpass an existing agreement with Netflix [1][2]. Group 1: Negotiation Dynamics - WBD has maintained its binding agreement with Netflix while rejecting multiple enhanced offers from Paramount, leading to a hostile $108.4 billion takeover attempt directly with shareholders [1]. - WBD has set a deadline of February 23 for Paramount to submit its best and final offer, indicating that the board has not yet determined if Paramount's proposal could lead to a superior transaction compared to the Netflix merger [2]. - A special waiver from Netflix was secured by WBD's board to initiate discussions with Paramount, emphasizing the company's commitment to the Netflix transaction while remaining open to potential offers from Paramount [3]. Group 2: Offer Details and Implications - Paramount has increased its offer for WBD to $30.01 per share and has proposed to cover a $2.8 billion fee owed to Netflix if it withdraws from the deal, along with a multibillion-dollar refinancing plan to reduce $1.5 billion in costs [6]. - A "ticking fee" of approximately $650 million in cash will be added each quarter if the deal is not finalized by the end of the year [7]. - Paramount has backed its offer with a $40 billion personal equity guarantee from Larry Ellison, and plans to nominate new board members at WBD to challenge the Netflix deal [8]. Group 3: Strategic Considerations - The Netflix deal, valued at $82.7 billion, would allow Netflix to acquire WBD's key assets, including Warner Bros and HBO, while the global networks operation will be spun off into a separate entity for WBD investors [5][6]. - Analysts suggest that setting a final offer date will expedite the merger process and provide Paramount an opportunity to make its strongest bid, although the current offers are already substantial [5].

Group 1 - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has agreed to temporarily restart sale negotiations with Paramount Global (PSKY), potentially leading to a second round of bidding with Netflix (NFLX) [1] - A waiver agreement allows Warner Bros. to engage with Paramount for seven days regarding the terms of a recent offer, which includes a proposal of at least $31 per share, $1 higher than the previous offer [1] - Warner Bros. board still recommends shareholders vote in favor of selling its studio and HBO Max streaming business to Netflix for $27.75 per share, with a shareholder vote scheduled for March 20 [1] Group 2 - The contact period between Warner Bros. and Paramount can last until February 23, during which Warner Bros. has requested Paramount's best and final proposal [2] - Paramount has been attempting to acquire Warner Bros. since September of last year, leading to Warner Bros. officially being put up for sale [2] - Paramount's recent proposal includes assuming a $2.8 billion fee owed to Netflix due to Warner Bros. terminating the agreement and offering guarantees for refinancing Warner Bros.' debt [2]

Warner Bros. Discovery reopens sale talks with Paramount while setting a date in March to vote on its proposed deal with Netflix https://t.co/YG1irA51lS ...

Core Viewpoint - The Warner Bros. Discovery board has established a seven-day period for Paramount to submit its "best and final" takeover offer [1] Group 1 - Warner Bros. Discovery is actively engaging in acquisition discussions with Paramount [1] - The seven-day window indicates a sense of urgency in the negotiation process [1] - This move reflects the competitive landscape in the media and entertainment industry, where consolidation is becoming increasingly common [1]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is making a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery valued at $108.4 billion, with a tender offer of $30 per share directed at WBD shareholders [1][2]. Group 1: Takeover Bid Details - Paramount Skydance's offer comes after it lost a bidding war to Netflix for WBD's streaming and studio businesses [2]. - Warner Bros. Discovery has received a limited waiver from Netflix, allowing it to engage in discussions with Paramount Skydance for a seven-day period to explore deficiencies in the offer [3][5]. - Paramount has indicated that its $30 per share offer is not its "best and final," suggesting a willingness to increase the offer to $31 per share if negotiations resume [4]. Group 2: Warner Bros. Discovery's Position - WBD's CEO, David Zaslav, emphasized the company's focus on maximizing value for shareholders and has provided clear feedback to Paramount regarding the deficiencies in their offer [6]. - A special meeting of WBD shareholders is scheduled for March 20, where the board continues to recommend the Netflix deal over Paramount's offer [6].

Core Perspective - The auction for Warner Bros. Discovery is highly competitive, with Paramount Skydance making a renewed bid to acquire the studio, which could significantly impact the media landscape in Hollywood [2][3][5]. Group 1: Auction Dynamics - Warner Bros. Discovery has reopened negotiations with Paramount Skydance after pressure from its controlling shareholders, David and Larry Ellison, who are determined to acquire the company [3]. - Paramount has submitted an enhanced offer and indicated readiness to increase its bid further, challenging Warner's preference for a competing offer from Netflix [4]. - Warner's board has set a deadline of February 23 for Paramount to clarify its proposal, emphasizing the urgency of the situation [4]. Group 2: Industry Implications - The potential sale of Warner Bros., known for iconic franchises and shows, is poised to reshape Hollywood through further industry consolidation, marking the largest media deal in nearly a decade [5]. - The ongoing auction reflects a critical moment in the media industry, highlighting the importance of scale, data, and distribution in defining future success [4]. - The backdrop of this auction includes challenges faced by Hollywood workers due to a slowdown in production and technological shifts towards streaming and artificial intelligence [6]. Group 3: Financial Aspects - Warner Bros. Discovery is advocating for its shareholders to approve a deal with Netflix valued at $82.7 billion, indicating strong interest in finalizing this transaction [7].

Group 1: Hyatt Hotels Corp - Thomas Pritzker has announced his immediate retirement as Executive Chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corp, ending a 45-year tenure, citing his past association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell as a significant misjudgment that necessitated his exit to protect the company's reputation [2][10] - Mark S. Hoplamazian, who has served as CEO since 2006, has been appointed as the new Chairman, consolidating leadership roles within the company [3][10] Group 2: Electric Vehicles in the EU - The European Union is finalizing new rules requiring Electric Vehicles (EVs) to consist of at least 70% EU-made components to qualify for state support, aimed at bolstering the domestic automotive supply chain and reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers, particularly from China [4][5][10] - This protectionist shift may increase the cost of EVs for European consumers in the short term while aiming to ensure that public funds benefit the EU's manufacturing sector [5] Group 3: Sky Group and Warner Bros. Discovery - Sky Group has decided not to renew its major licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, marking the end of a multi-decade partnership and signaling a new era of streaming competition [6][10] - The non-renewal allows Warner Bros. Discovery to launch its Max streaming service as a standalone product in key markets, while Sky will need to pivot towards original programming and alternative partnerships to compensate for the loss of high-profile HBO titles [7][10]

Group 1 - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) shares are trading at $27.99, just below the $30 ceiling set by Paramount's revised bid of $108.4 billion, while Netflix has made a competing offer of $72 billion [1] - Warner Bros Discovery's revenue has declined by 5.1% annually over the past two years, and the company is trading at 147 times trailing earnings, indicating minimal profitability [1] - Ancora Holdings has built a $200 million position in Warner Bros Discovery and expressed skepticism regarding the uncertain cash consideration of the Netflix deal and the unknown equity value of the Discovery Global spinoff [1] Group 2 - Retail trading activity around Warner Bros Discovery has surged, particularly on platforms like Reddit, with bullish sentiment rising sharply after news of Paramount's revised offer [1] - Prediction markets suggest that the bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery could extend well past spring 2026, indicating a belief that the acquisition process may take longer than anticipated [1] - Netflix's stock has declined by 18% year-to-date, trading below $77, which is significantly lower than its 52-week high, reflecting challenges faced by the company amid the bidding war [1]

市场有风险，投资需谨慎。本文为AI基于第三方数据生成，仅供参考，不构成个人投资建议。 华纳兄弟探索正在评估是否重启与派拉蒙的并购谈判，派拉蒙于上周提交了经过优化的最新收购方案。 本文源自：市场资讯 去年12月，华纳兄弟探索曾同意以830亿美元将旗下流媒体与影视工作室业务出售给Netflix，彼时拒绝 了派拉蒙1080亿美元收购全公司（含有线电视业务）的报价，理由是认为该交易风险高于Netflix方案。 此后派拉蒙直接向华纳股东发起收购要约，并先后两次优化方案，但未提高每股价格。 上周，派拉蒙针对华纳的多项顾虑做出核心让步：同意承担华纳若终止Netflix交易需支付的28亿美元违 约金，同步承接华纳兄弟探索的债务成本，并承诺从2027年起，若交易每延迟一个季度未完成，将向华 纳股东支付约6.5亿美元现金补偿。 目前，华纳兄弟探索董事会正就派拉蒙的最新报价是否构成更优方案展开讨论。根据华纳与Netflix的协 议条款，前者有权接洽可能带来更高价值的交易报价。若华纳决定重启与派拉蒙的谈判，需按协议要求 通知Netflix，Netflix届时将获得提高自身报价的权利。华纳需在2月25日前对派拉蒙的最新方案作出正 式回 ...