Entertainment
Netflix to buy Warner Bros. in a deal valued at $82.7 billion
Netflix on Friday said it is buying Warner Bros. in a deal valued at $82.7 billion, merging the biggest streaming service with a storied studio that has produced films such as “Casablanca” and the “Harry Potter” franchise.
In a statement, Netflix said the deal is expected to close after Warner Bros. Discovery spins off its television networks division, Discovery Global, which is now expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.
The agreement comes after Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent of Warner, had announced in June that it planned to split in two, dividing its cable networks such as CNN and TNT Sports from its streaming and studios business, including HBO Max and Warner Bros. Television.
But in October, Warner Bros. Discovery said it had attracted interest from companies about buying all or parts of it outright, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that media and entertainment businesses, including Paramount Skydance (the parent company of CBS News) and Comcast Corp., were also pursuing a deal for Warner Bros.
According to media reports, Paramount Skydance was interested in acquiring all of Warner Bros., including its cable assets such as CNN and Discovery.
Netflix said it will buy Warner Bros. for $27.75 per share, giving the deal an equity value of $72 billion and a total enterprise value of $82.7 billion. The transaction is expected to close in 12 to 18 months, Netflix said.
Buying Warner Bros.’ studios would mark a major strategic shift for Netflix. Under the proposed deal, the streaming giant has pledged to honor any contractual agreements for releasing Warner Bros.’ studio films.
Yet Netflix could face regulatory hurdles in seeking to complete the deal amid concerns the transaction could weaken competition among theaters, Wall Street analysts said.
“Significant concerns have been voiced over the potential impact to the theatrical market should Netflix take over [Warner Bros.],” analysts with Wedbush Securities said in a note to investors, adding that “concerns remain within the industry and among government officials” about the impact of such a deal.
Why Netflix wants Warner Bros.
In a conference call with investors to discuss the acquisition, Netflix executives said the deal will help the company attract more subscribers, while also creating value for shareholders.
“We expect to attract and maintain more subscribers, and drive incremental revenue and operating income,” co-CEO Greg Peters said on the call. “We think it’ll accelerate our business for decades to come.”
Peters was also questioned about his comments at an October conference, when he said that big media mergers “don’t have an amazing track record.” On Friday, the executive said he believed this merger would prove to be different because of Netflix’s expertise in creating content.
“A lot of those failures [are] because the company doing the acquisition didn’t understand the entertainment business,” he said. “We understand the business.”
Analysts said Netflix would benefit by adding Warner Bros.’ extensive streaming and film content.
“The rationale for such a deal stems from merging two overlapping streaming offers into a single flagship Netflix app or a tight Netflix-HBO Max bundle, with one login, one discovery layer and one advertising system,” analysts with market research firm MKI Global said in a report. “Netflix would gain leverage by pairing its global reach with WBD’s brands and library, improving negotiations with advertisers and partners, allowing weaker legacy feeds to be phased out over time, and shifting rights and franchises into the platforms and windows that deliver the best returns.”
Shares of Warner Bros., whose stock price has more than doubled since this summer as speculation of a possible deal heated up, were mostly flat before the start of U.S. trading. Netflix shares fell $2.85, or 2.8%, to $100.50.
—This is a developing story and will be updated
Kim Kardashian has recently dropped major revelation about her original name.
The All’s Fair actress opened up about last-minute name switch before she entered the family’s reality TV show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, back in 2007.
“I used to always go by Kimberly, until we signed on to do the reality show,” said the 45-year-old in a new interview with Time.
Elaborating on why she made the decision, Kim saw her name, Kimberly Kardashian and realised that it was too long.
“I said, ‘I think that’s so long for people to say.” And like, “Let’s just shorten it to Kim,’” mentioned the American Horror Story actress.
Kim recalled that all her high school friends and dad would call her “Kimberly” so it was “weird” to change my name.
However, the SKIMS founder gave credit to her sisters for pitching the show to promote their Los Angeles clothing store, DASH.
“The whole reason we wanted to start our show was to bring attention to our DASH store, at least that’s how I was able to get my sisters to sign on,” pointed out Kim.
Elsewhere in the interview, the reality star revealed whether she was “the mastermind” behind the Kardashian empire.
“I was the one that convinced everyone for sure. I really wanted it,” she told the outlet.
Kim added, “I really wanted to do a reality show since the day MTV’s The Real World came out and I watched it with my best friend.”
Kim Kardashian got honest about her feelings after she failed her exam.
The SKIMS founder revealed that she felt ‘really uncomfortable’ and lost confidence after failing the California bar exam.
The 45-year-old admitted to feeling shaken by the result, but she’s determined not to let the disappointment stop her.
Kim has been working towards achieving her dream of becoming a lawyer for six years, inspired by her late father Robert Kardashian.
She studied for months dedicating up to nine hours a day throughout.
But when she sat for the July exam, she fell short of the 1,390 points needed to pass.
In a recent candid chat with Time Magazine, she shared she is ‘pretty good’ at turning a failure into something positive.
Kanye West’s ex is turning it in into a learning experience.
The Kardashians star talked about the moment she got the result.
“I took a minute to process that, and instantly, when I got my results, I didn’t feel good about it. I was really uncomfortable and not confident for a while,” she said.
“You get the results on a Friday, and I knew Sunday morning they were going to be live on the internet. So I wanted to mention it first and let people know that it didn’t go my way.”
She confessed failure dented her confidence.
However, rather than dwelling on the setback, she is channeling it into motivation.
She further added, “I’m pretty good at taking a failure and turning it into something and I just don’t have the time to dwell.”
“You can feel sorry for yourself for a second, but I need to take that time and put it into studying more.”
Finding the perfect life partner has always been a challenge, but Dil Ka Rishta is making this journey easier, faster, and more affordable. Recently, the platform has announced an exclusive offer on its VIP service, enabling users to access premium matchmaking services at a significantly reduced cost. Previously priced at PKR 50,000, the VIP service is now available for just PKR 10,000 for first-time subscribers.
This initiative is designed for individuals who are serious about finding a compatible spouse and want a personalized, hassle-free experience. Unlike traditional methods that often involve lengthy procedures, the VIP service ensures that users can connect with a suitable match quickly and efficiently, all while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and discretion.
The VIP package not only saves time but also provides peace of mind, knowing that the search for a life partner is handled professionally and confidentially. With just a single call, subscribers can gain access to tailored matches that align with their preferences, making the process smooth and stress-free.
By introducing this special offer, Dil Ka Rishta demonstrates its commitment to making meaningful relationships more accessible to everyone. This move highlights the platform’s understanding of users’ needs, offering premium matchmaking services at an affordable price without compromising on quality.
Whether you are new to the platform or exploring serious options for marriage, this VIP service provides an opportunity to find your ideal match with minimal effort and maximum convenience. In a world where time and privacy are valuable, Dil Ka Rishta remains a trusted and efficient matchmaking solution.
Kim Kardashian drops big revelation about her original name
Kim Kardashian makes emotional confessional after bar exam fail
US brand Nike debuts ACG Zegama crafted for wild, technical terrain
-
Tech5 days agoGet Your Steps In From Your Home Office With This Walking Pad—On Sale This Week
-
Sports4 days agoIndia Triumphs Over South Africa in First ODI Thanks to Kohli’s Heroics – SUCH TV
-
Fashion4 days agoResults are in: US Black Friday store visits down, e-visits up, apparel shines
-
Entertainment4 days agoSadie Sink talks about the future of Max in ‘Stranger Things’
-
Politics4 days agoElon Musk reveals partner’s half-Indian roots, son’s middle name ‘Sekhar’
-
Tech4 days agoPrague’s City Center Sparkles, Buzzes, and Burns at the Signal Festival
-
Sports4 days agoBroncos secure thrilling OT victory over Commanders behind clutch performances
-
Entertainment4 days agoNatalia Dyer explains Nancy Wheeler’s key blunder in Stranger Things 5