16 h. ago Netflix and Paramount deals are both wrong for Warner Bros Discovery – and democracy

A congressional hearing this week underscored the danger a WBD deal would pose to journalism and the American publicDonald Trump wants CNN sold. He has said so repeatedly and publicly, demanding it “should be sold” in any deal involving Warner Bros Discovery. Now one of America’s largest media companies is racing to oblige him, while another looks to consolidate its power. Wednesday’s House judiciary hearing on streaming competition – where lawmakers voiced concern over the Trump administration’s influence and a potential merger’s toll on consumers – made clear just how dangerous both options are for free speech, audiences and democracy itself.Netflix has bid $82.7bn for Warner Bros Discovery, only to be countered by a hostile $108bn takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, son of Trump’s ally Larry. Neither deal serves the public interest, and both are dangerous for the future of free expression. Both would produce an unprecedented concentration of power over wha...

Events

16 h. ago Netflix and Paramount deals are both wrong for Warner Bros Discovery – and democracy | Courtney C Radsch

A congressional hearing this week underscored the danger a WBD deal would pose to journalism and the American publicDonald Trump wants CNN sold. He has said so repeatedly and publicly, demanding it “should be sold” in any deal involving Warner Bros Discovery. Now one of America’s largest media companies is racing to oblige him, while another looks to consolidate its power. Wednesday’s House judiciary hearing on streaming competition – where lawmakers voiced concern over the Trump administration’s influence and a potential merger’s toll on consumers – made clear just how dangerous both options are for free speech, audiences and democracy itself.Netflix has bid $82.7bn for Warner Bros Discovery, only to be countered by a hostile $108bn takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, son of Trump’s ally Larry. Neither deal serves the public interest, and both are dangerous for the future of free expression. Both would produce an unprecedented concentration of power over wha...

Events

4 d. ago Warner Bros to stick with Netflix after rejecting Paramount’s amended takeover offer

Warner Bros is advising its shareholders to pursure Netflix’s lucrative bid for the company instead

Events

4 d. ago Warner Bros tells investors to reject sweetened £80bn Paramount bid

Paramount updated its offer late last month with a £30 billion ‘irrevocable personal guarantee’ from Oracle founder Larry Ellison.

Economics

4 d. ago Warner Bros Discovery tells investors to reject ‘inadequate’ $108bn Paramount bid

Board unwilling to accept hostile takeover despite $40bn guarantee from billionaire Larry EllisonWarner Bros Discovery (WBD) has again told its shareholders to reject an “inadequate” $108.4bn (£80bn) hostile takeover bid by Paramount Skydance amid an extraordinary corporate battle to control the media conglomerate.Paramount, controlled by the billionaire Ellison family, had sought to combat WBD’s criticism of its offer and claims it had “consistently misled” investors by saying it had a “full backstop” – a safety net to ensure it has sufficient funds – from the Ellisons. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Warner Bros to stick with Neftlix after rejecting Paramount’s amended takeover offer

Warner Bros is advising its shareholders to pursure Netflix’s lucrative bid for the company instead

Events

4 d. ago Warner Bros Discovery tells investors to reject latest $108bn hostile Paramount bid

Board unwilling to accept hostile takeover despite $40bn guarantee from billionaire Larry EllisonWarner Bros Discovery (WBD) has again told its shareholders to reject an “inadequate” $108.4bn (£80bn) hostile takeover bid by Paramount Skydance amid an extraordinary corporate battle to control the media conglomerate.Paramount, controlled by the billionaire Ellison family, had sought to combat WBD’s criticism of its offer and claims it had “consistently misled” investors by saying it had a “full backstop” – a safety net to ensure it has sufficient funds – from the Ellisons. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Warner Bros rejects Paramount’s ‘inadequate’ $108bn hostile bid

Board warns shareholders over ‘extraordinary’ amount of debt financing and $4.7bn of costs if it backs out of Netflix deal

Events

2 w. ago Larry Ellison gives personal guarantee for Paramount takeover of Warner Bros Discovery

WBD had urged shareholders to reject $108.4bn hostile takeover bid from Paramount, which is controlled by the Ellisons, following $82.7bn Netflix deal The tech billionaire Larry Ellison has agreed to provide a personal guarantee of more than $40bn for Paramount Skydance’s fight to gain control of Warner Bros Discovery, amid an extraordinary corporate battle over the entertainment giant.WBD urged shareholders to reject a $108.4bn hostile takeover bid from Paramount – which is controlled by the Ellisons – last week, having agreed to sell its storied movie studios, HBO cable network and streaming service to Netflix in a $82.7bn deal earlier this month. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Larry Ellison provides personal guarantee for Paramount takeover of Warner Bros Discovery

WBD had urged shareholders to reject $108.4bn hostile takeover bid from Paramount, which is controlled by the Ellisons, following $82.7bn Netflix deal The tech billionaire Larry Ellison has agreed to provide a personal guarantee of more than $40bn for Paramount Skydance’s fight to gain control of Warner Bros Discovery, amid an extraordinary corporate battle over the entertainment giant.WBD urged shareholders to reject a $108.4bn hostile takeover bid from Paramount – which is controlled by the Ellisons – last week, having agreed to sell its storied movie studios, HBO cable network and streaming service to Netflix in a $82.7bn deal earlier this month. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Larry Ellison gives $40bn personal backing to Warner Bros Discovery bid

Oracle co-founder has agreed to backstop Paramount’s $108bn hostile bid personally

Events

3 w. ago What David Ellison can learn from a hostile bid battle of his father

The saga of Oracle’s PeopleSoft takeover might show what is needed to win Warner Bros Discovery

Events

3 w. ago Warner Bros Discovery urges shareholders to reject Paramount takeover bid

Bosses at Warner Bros, which makes franchises such as Harry Potter and Batman, said the proposed deal from Paramount was ‘inadequate’.

Events

3 w. ago Warner Bros asks investors to reject takeover bid from Paramount Skydance

Warner Bros

Events

3 w. ago Warner Bros Discovery urges shareholders to reject Paramount’s $108.4bn takeover bid

WBD had agreed to sell to Netflix but Paramount swiftly countered with an all-cash offer, which WBD’s board is calling ‘inadequate’Warner Bros Discovery has urged shareholders to reject a $108.4bn hostile takeover offer from Paramount Skydance, branding it “inadequate” amid an extraordinary corporate battle to control the legacy media conglomerate.WBD agreed to sell its storied movie studios, HBO cable network and streaming service to Netflix in a $82.7bn deal earlier this month, setting the stage for a seismic shift in Hollywood’s industrial landscape. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Warner Bros board urges investors to reject Paramount’s ‘inferior’ $108bn bid

David Ellison’s offer provides ‘untenable degree of risk’ and ‘potential downside’ for WBD shareholders

Events

3 w. ago Jared Kushner pulls out of Paramount’s hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

A private equity firm owned by Jared Kushner says it's no longer backing Paramount’s hostile acquisition bid for Warner Bros

Events

3 w. ago Warner Bros Discovery likely to stick with Netflix and reject $108.4 billion Paramount bid

Securing Warner Bros Discovery’s portfolio would grant the successful bidder a significant advantage in the ongoing streaming wars

Events