'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQH/8QAIRAAAQMEAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBAAFESISMUFRscH/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA//EABoRAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMREiH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AM/uaLXGsjNshyDPYbmqdUFtFpx1SwBoodMJBOx89zVDsuSXVlMMY5HGzf1J90pU71CkYhRt0z//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
On Dec 8, 2025, the entertainment industry is turning an important turning point as Paramount makes a hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery. The aggressive move came just a few days after Netflix revealed plans to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming channels and studios for $82.7 billion.
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos responded quickly to the new controversy, claiming that Paramount's bid was almost definitely anticipated. He noted that Netflix was still optimistic about the deal's conclusion.
Paramount's bid valued the company at 30 per share, compared to Netflix's 27.75 per share, and included an additional eighteen billion in cash for shareholders. This bidding war has produced unprecedented tension in Hollywood, as industry insiders wonder who will emerge victorious in the battle for one of the world's most valuable entertainment properties.
Read more about the story.
Why did Ted Sarandos expect this bid?
On December 8, 2025, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos appeared at the UBS media conference in New York and maintained his calm. He stated that the company was prepared for Paramount's attempt to interfere with its agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. At a meeting in New York organized by Wall Street firm UBS, Sarandos stated,
“Today’s move was entirely expected.”
He continued,
“We have a deal done, and we are incredibly happy with the deal. It’s great for shareholders, great for consumers."
He stressed that the synergies between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery are healthy and benefit stockholders and internet viewers. His confident tone indicated that Netflix had planned this challenge. The message was clear. Netflix believes the deal will move forward without losing momentum.
How much more cash is Paramount offering shareholders?
Paramount has also made a dramatic move in its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. The company increased the offer price to $30 per share, up from $27.75 in the Netflix proposal. This adds up to $18 billion more in cash for shareholders.
Paramount’s bid is backed by Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, along with funds from the Middle East. The all-cash offer is intended to instill confidence in investors and alleviate concerns about regulation. Paramount claims this is its sixth effort in twelve weeks. Despite a more substantial bid, Warner Bros. The Discovery board continues to support Netflix's plan over Paramount's aggressive investment.
What is Paramount's criticism of Netflix's deal?
The Netflix deal with Warner Bros. Discovery has raised serious questions about how the board reached that decision. The company claims that the board of directors at Warner Bros. Discovery is biased in favour of Netflix and has allegedly failed to follow fair bidding practices.
Paramount believes that the board's valuation of Discovery Global Networks is unsustainable and unsupported by genuine business facts. Paramount values Discovery Global at $1 per share, whereas Warner Bros. Discovery estimates it at $3 to $4 per share.
The company sent a formal letter to Warner Bros. Discovery claiming the board has predetermined the Netflix outcome. Paramount CEO David Ellison stated during a CNBC interview that the bidding process demonstrated bias against Paramount's proposal. Despite the complaints, Warner Bros. Discovery's legal counsel claimed that the board completely met its fiduciary duty to shareholders.
Trending
Follow Soap Central for more updates!
Reply
