Warner Bros. rejects $108bn Paramount deal, prefers Netflix $82.7 billion offer

In an interesting turn of events, Warner Bros. Discovery has asked its shareholders to turn down a takeover proposal from Paramount Skydance, making it clear that it prefers an earlier deal put forward by Netflix. The company stated that the Paramount Skydance bid poses a greater financial risk and does not offer better value than the current offer.

The rejection comes as interest in Warner Bros. Discovery, one of the world’s largest media companies, continues to grow. The company boasts a vast catalogue of film and television content that spans decades. Recently, two competing offers have surfaced, placing the company at the heart of a high-stakes bidding battle.

A few weeks earlier, Netflix made a major move by agreeing to buy a stake in Warner Bros. Discovery, valued at $82.7 billion. Soon after, Paramount Skydance offered $30 per share in cash to buy the entire company, but Warner Bros. Discovery has publicly rejected this bid.

Warner Bros’ decision shaped by risk and control

Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision hinges on how the company assesses risk. After reviewing both proposals, the board stated that neither deal can avoid regulatory review. This goes against claims that the Paramount Skydance offer would face fewer approval challenges. Based on this evaluation, the company concluded that Netflix’s proposal made more sense.

Netflix made an offer that includes both cash and Netflix shares. This allows Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders to benefit from Netflix’s future growth. The company believes this approach is more balanced, especially during a time when the media industry faces rising costs and changing viewer habits.

The company questioned how Paramount Skydance plans to finance its offer. They highlighted a $40.65 billion equity commitment linked to the deal, pointing out that there is no direct financial support from the Ellison family, even though the family is wealthy and influential in the technology sector.

Read also: Paramount strikes back with $108bn bid to challenge Netflix for Warner Bros

The standoff underscores the increasing competitiveness of the global media landscape. Major companies are competing to acquire premium content libraries as traditional television revenues decline and streaming platforms vie for subscribers. For Warner Bros. Discovery, the decision seems to focus on stability and long-term strategy rather than on eye-catching price tags.

Currently, Paramount Skydance has not released a public statement regarding the rejection. With shareholders closely monitoring the situation and regulators expected to examine any developments, the future ownership structure of Warner Bros. Discovery is still uncertain. However, the company has clearly expressed its preferences.