Paramount, Comcast, Netflix: Streaming Offer Battle
- * Bidders: * Comcast (NBCUniversal): Bid for the film and streaming assets (warner Bros.studio & HBO Max).
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* Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is considering sale/takeover offers. They received first-round bids this week.
* Bidders:
* Comcast (NBCUniversal): Bid for the film and streaming assets (warner Bros.studio & HBO Max). Would not involve spinning out NBCUniversal itself, despite some speculation. They would allow WBD to spin out its cable networks (CNN, TNT Sports) before the acquisition closes.
* Netflix: Also bid solely for the film and streaming assets. their bid is expected to be “disciplined.”
* Paramount Skydance: Submitted their fourth bid, and were considering increasing it after a previous offer of $23.50 per share was rejected.
* Comcast’s Strategy: Acquiring WBD’s assets would complement NBCUniversal (NBC, Peacock, Universal film studio, theme parks). They believe a deal is “viable” given the current regulatory climate.
* Timeline: WBD aims to complete the sale process by mid-to-late December.
* No Comment: Representatives from all four companies (WBD, Paramount, Netflix, and Comcast) declined to comment.