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Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

cnbc.com

131–140 of 424 posts

Re: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

#131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Except there is robust competition in media —be it news, social, etc. As of a few years ago, there were six corporations owning 90% of US media: NewsCorp, TimeWarner, Comcast, Disney, Viacom, Sony. * https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/comments/fs5g0b/more_tha... * https://techstartups.com/2020/09/18/6-corporations-control-9... Add to that local channel ownership (like Sinclair) concentration: * https://www.gsb.sta…

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Much like you also have a robust choice of cereals at the supermarket.

Re: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

#132

The most concerning aspect for me is the obvious and conspicuously-timed consolidation of these companies under David Ellison. Within the past few months he's taken control of Paramount, CBS, The Free Press, and now he's working on Warner Bros. From everything I've seen he's basically an ideologue, and has already re-structured CBS to align with his vision. Just something that seems very out in the open yet kind of p…

https://bpr.studentorg.berkeley.edu/2025/12/03/how-the-ellis...

> How the Ellison Empire is Killing America’s Democratic Media

Re: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

#133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This has nothing to do with the Netflix bid. Warner bros is being divided into the cable TV stations + discover channel stations and the movie studio and the backlog is separate. Netflix wants the movie studio + tv back catalog

The article bullet point referencing WB Discovery could mislead some into thinking that this takeover is only for the Discovery portion, but that's not the case. $30 would not be for Discovery only (as Netflix's bid is $27.75), it's for the whole kit and caboodle. Yes there are two entities, but/and Paramount wants it all, and the takeover intent is for both.

I've heard that what Kushner wants is CNN. If they could make CBS+CNN lean conservative like Fox, they pull off a potential to swing the country via news media.

Re: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

#134
The success of a Netflix>WBD acquisition would consolidate a third of US streaming markets under one roof, which should receive anti-trust scrutiny. Despite this, there is still a strong appearance of conflict of interest in Trump’s public remarks regarding denying Netflix acquisition the necessary regulatory approval, in conjunction with his son-in-law Jared Kushner being one of the financial backers for Paramount’s cash bid.

(1)https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/trump-netflix-wbd-paramount.... (2)https://www.techradar.com/streaming/netflix/trump-says-the-b...

Re: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

#135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some context: "Affinity Partners, the private equity firm led by Jared Kushner, is part of Paramount's hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery, according to a regulatory filing." https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/jared-kushner-paramount-war...

The dark side of all this is a propaganda network. The government and who runs it should not be in business I'm sorry. This isn't free markets, it's manipulation and corruption.

This really isn’t the free market, this is de facto cartels when like 90% of media properties are owned by 3 or 4 companies.

Re: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

#136
post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it gives Netflix an advantage. When it comes up in front of a judge he'll note the obvious conflict of interest and Trump's idiotic pronouncements, like the fact that he said he will be personally involved, and rule for Netflix.

HA hardly. Balance that against two of the top four streaming platforms (youtube, hbo, disney, netflix) trying to merge, probably should worry about some anti-trust there, but not under this administration.

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Re: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

#137

The most concerning aspect for me is the obvious and conspicuously-timed consolidation of these companies under David Ellison. Within the past few months he's taken control of Paramount, CBS, The Free Press, and now he's working on Warner Bros. From everything I've seen he's basically an ideologue, and has already re-structured CBS to align with his vision. Just something that seems very out in the open yet kind of p…

Don't forget that the Ellisons have a 15% stake in TikTok's American business as well!

Re: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

#138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But who's gonna produce that once Paramount owns HBO?

> who's gonna produce that once Paramount owns HBO? Netflix. If they win, they own HBO. If they lose, they have a beef with Ellison. (Speaking out of my ass here. But I think there is broad underappreciation of how intensely a lot of Hollywood creatives do not want to work for a rightwinger. I imagine Netflix, Disney and others will have a bit of a bonanza over the coming years of picking up disaffecteds from Paramou…

Don't sleep on the A24 or NEON model. I think we'll see a boom in independent film production and distribution companies over the next few years, especially with the inevitable dry powder from either deal.

Re: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros

#139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The dark side of all this is a propaganda network. The government and who runs it should not be in business I'm sorry. This isn't free markets, it's manipulation and corruption.

This really isn’t the free market, this is de facto cartels when like 90% of media properties are owned by 3 or 4 companies.

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