Warner Bros. Chooses Netflix Over Paramount's $108 Billion Takeover Bid

Wed Dec 17 2025 21:16:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a surprising turn of events, Warner Bros. Discovery has opted for Netflix's $72 billion agreement over a significantly higher $108.4 billion bid from Paramount Skydance, rejecting the latter's offer as fraught with risks.

Warner Bros. Discovery has firmly rejected Paramount Skydance's $108.4 billion takeover bid, siding instead with Netflix's $72 billion deal, which it deems more beneficial and less risky for shareholders. The board believes the Netflix acquisition represents a more stable financial future amidst ongoing competitive pressures in the streaming industry.

Warner Bros Discovery has told its shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance's $108.4bn (£80.75bn) takeover bid.

Paramount had said its offer was superior to a $72bn deal that Warner Bros struck with Netflix for its film and streaming businesses.

But in a dramatic plot twist in the story of who will take control of one of Hollywood's oldest and most famous movie studios, Warner Brother's board unanimously recommended rejecting the offer and agreed the deal with Netflix was in the firm's best interests.

The media giant put itself up for sale in October after receiving multiple expressions of interest from potential buyers, including approaches from Paramount Skydance.

On 5 December, Warner Bros Discovery said it had agreed to sell its film and streaming businesses to Netflix.

In a lengthy legal filing, Warner Bros Discovery's board said the higher offer from Paramount poses numerous and significant risks and strongly rejects the idea that the Ellison family - one of America's richest - is financially supporting the bid.

Paramount is backed by the billionaire Ellison family, which has close ties to the president.

In a reflection of where power now lies in the entertainment industry, the Warner Bros board says the offer from streaming giant Netflix is well financed and offers better long-term value to shareholders.

Netflix welcomed the recommendation from Warner Bros. Ted Sarandos, Netflix's co-chief executive, called the company's merger agreement superior and in the best interest of stockholders.

In a letter to Warner Bros shareholders, Netflix reiterated its stance that its bid for Warner Bros involves a clearer funding structure and less regulatory risk.

Paramount could yet come back with another offer meaning the takeover saga gripping Hollywood isn't quite over yet.