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Paramount Skydance makes bid for all of Warner Bros. Discovery valued at $108 billion

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Paramount Skydance makes bid for all of Warner Bros. Discovery valued at 8 billion


Paramount Skydance on Monday made a $108.4 billion hostile takeover offer for all of Warner Bros. Discovery, with its all-cash bid coming just three days after Netflix agreed to buy a part of Warner Bros. in a deal valued at $82.7 billion.

Warner Bros. Discovery “shareholders deserve an opportunity to consider our superior all-cash offer for their shares in the entire company,” Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison said in a statement. 

“Our public offer, which is on the same terms we provided to the Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors in private, provides superior value, and a more certain and quicker path to completion,” he said.

Paramount Skydance is the parent company of CBS News.

The new offer steps up the battle over the future of Warner Bros. Discovery, which on Friday agreed to a deal with Netflix under which the streaming giant would acquire Warner’s streaming and movie assets. Warner Bros.’ storied film library includes classics like “Casablanca” and the “Harry Potter” film series. 

Paramount Skydance said its offer is a better deal for Warner shareholders because it includes the entirety of Warner Bros. Discovery, including its cable television channels such as CNN, TBS, TNT and The Food Network. The transaction would also have an easier path through the regulatory process than Netflix’s offer, according to Paramount. 

“Paramount is highly confident in achieving expeditious regulatory clearance for its proposed offer, as it enhances competition and is pro-consumer, while creating a strong champion for creative talent and consumer choice,” the company said in a statement.

Paramount Skydance’s offer includes the cost of absorbing Warner Bros. Discovery’s debt, which as of September 30 was more than $33 billion, a regulatory filing shows. The all-cash $30 per share offer amounts to nearly $78 billion. Excluding Warner Bros. Discovery’s debt, Netflix’s bid for the company comes to roughly $72 billion. 

Potential antitrust hurdle

Some Wall Street analysts have said the Netflix-Warner Bros. combination could raise concerns among U.S. antitrust enforcers because of the streaming service’s size and the potential to reduce competition in the media space. 

“Because Netflix is positioned as the largest streaming platform, the company’s acquisition of HBO Max services and customers raises red flags,” said Jeffrey May, managing editor for the Insights & Enrichment team within Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory U.S., in an email. 

May added, “Netflix and HBO Max compete for subscribers. Their combination could be seen as a threat to competition and innovation.”

President Trump also signaled the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal could face hurdles, saying on Sunday that the combined company’s size “could be a problem.” Mr. Trump also said he would be involved in any decision about whether the federal government should approve the deal.

Usha Haley, a Wichita State University professor who specializes in international business strategy, told the Associated Press that Paramount’s ties to Mr. Trump are notable. Paramount CEO David Ellison is the son of Larry Ellison, who leads software maker Oracle Corp. and is an avowed supporter of Mr. Trump. 

Mr. Trump “said he’s going to be involved in the decision — we should take him at face value,” Haley said. “For him, it’s just greater control over the media.”

Netflix declined to comment, while Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery jumped $1.65, or 6.3%, to $27.72 in early trading on Monday, while Paramount Skydance shares rose 78 cents, or 5.8%, to $14.14. Netflix’s stock slumped 4.9% to $95.64.

Paramount Skydance’s tender offer is set to expire on Jan. 8, 2026, unless it is extended.

Impact on streaming

Netflix, which has more than 300 million subscribers, is the world’s largest streaming service, according to David R. King, a professor of management at Florida State University.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platforms, which include HBO Max and Discovery+, rank as the fourth-largest with 128 million subscribers, followed by Paramount+ at No. 5, with 78 million customers, he added. Amazon Prime Video and Disney/Hulu rank as No. 2 and 3, respectively.

The prospect of more media industry consolidation has prompted critics such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, to speak out against the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal. In a statement on Friday, Warren said the combination would “create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market.”

Netflix is likely to argue that other video platforms, such as YouTube should be included in calculating streaming services’ market share, according to The Guardian. 

The bidding war follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s announcement in June that it planned to split into two businesses, separating its cable networks from its streaming and studios business.

But in October, the media conglomerate 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 Netflix, Paramount Skydance and Comcast, were pursuing a deal.

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders “will have to choose between [Paramount Skydance’s] straight $30-a-share cash offer and Netflix’s slightly lower, more complex bid with a linear networks spin-off, both carrying serious antitrust questions,” David O’Hara, managing director at market research firm MKI Global Partners, said in an email.



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Kylie Jenner reunites with Travis Scott for their kids’ joint birthdays

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Kylie Jenner reunites with Travis Scott for their kids’ joint birthdays


The former couple are parents to Stormi, 8, and Aire, 4

Kylie Jenner reunited with her ex-boyfriend Travis Scott over the weekend to celebrate their kids’ back-to-back birthdays.

The SICKO MODE rapper went all out as he took charge of the birthday celebrations for Stormi, who turned eight years old on February 1, and Aire, who turns four the very next day. 

Videos and photos from the birthday bash shared online showed a lavish fantasy land partly inspired by Travis’ Astroworld, with custom signs reading “Stormi World” and “Planet Aire” scattered throughout the venue. The proud dad even designed giant inflatable versions of his children’ s heads modeled after his iconic Astroworld mask at the venue’s entrance.

Inside the sprawling venue was a desert-themed fantasy land complete with full-scale carnival rides, including a pink roller rink and a diner. One sweet moment showed Stormi skating around an indoor roller rink while Travis stayed close, holding her hand and helping her keep her balance.

Kylie was also hands-on throughout the party, joining Travis to sing “Happy Birthday” to both kids as they stood in front of the elaborate setup.

Among the attendees was Kylie’s sister Khloe Kardashian, who shared snaps from the bash to her Instagram Stories.

Kylie Jenner reunites with Travis Scott for their kids joint birthdays

Kylie Jenner reunites with Travis Scott for their kids joint birthdays

The children’s grandmother, Kris Jenner, also took to Instagram to pay a special tribute. “Happy birthday to my precious Stormi and Aire! You are both loved beyond measure, and you make our world brighter every single day. Happy birthday my angels!” the matriarch wrote.

Notably missing from the festivities was Kylie’s current boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, who did not appear in any photos or videos from the event.

Kylie and Travis, who dated on and off from 2017 until 2023, once again showed that when it comes to Stormi and Aire, they’re a united front.





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“Melania” documentary opens with better ticket sales than expected, despite criticism

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“Melania” documentary opens with better ticket sales than expected, despite criticism


Promoted by President Trump as “a must watch,” the Melania Trump documentary “Melania” debuted with a better-than-expected $7 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The release of “Melania” was unlike any seen before. Amazon MGM Studios paid $40 million for the rights, plus some $35 million to market it, making it the most expensive documentary ever. Directed by Brett Ratner, who had been exiled from Hollywood since 2017, the film about the first lady debuted in 1,778 theaters in the midst of Mr. Trump’s turbulent second term.

While the result would be a flop for most films with such high costs, “Melania” was a success by documentary standards. It’s the best opening weekend for a documentary, outside of concert films, in 14 years. Going into the weekend, estimates ranged from $3 million to $5 million.

But there was little to compare “Melania” to, given that presidential families typically eschew in-office memoir or documentary releases to avoid the appearance of capitalizing on the White House. The film chronicles Melania Trump over 20 days last January, leading up to Trump’s second inauguration.

On Thursday, Mr. Trump hosted a premiere of the film at the Kennedy Center, with attendees including cabinet members and members of Congress. There, Ratner downplayed its box-office potential, noting: “You can’t expect a documentary to play in theaters.”

Mr. Trump addressed a number of political topics at the premiere event, answering reporters’ questions about the Federal Reserve, Iran, Cuba and more. The first lady told CBS News on the event’s red carpet why she believed people would connect with the documentary.

“I think you will see a lot of emotions, from humor to sadness to grief to celebration, family,” she said.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the premiere of her movie “Melania” at The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington.

Jose Luis Magana / AP


The No. 1 movie of the weekend was Sam Raimi’s “Send Help,” a critically acclaimed survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. The Walt Disney Co. release debuted with $20 million. The film, with a $40 million budget, was an in-between kind of release for Raimi, whose hits have typically ranged from low-budget cult (“Army of Darkness”) to big-budget blockbuster (2002’s “Spider-Man”).

The microbudget sci-fi horror film “Iron Lung,” directed by YouTuber and filmmaker Markiplier, came in second with $17.9 million, far exceeding expectations. The Jason Statham action thriller “Shelter” debuted with $5.5 million.

But most of the curiosity was on how “Melania” would perform. A week earlier, the White House hosted a black-tie preview attended by Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy, Apple chief executive Tim Cook and former boxer Mike Tyson.

The film arrived in a week dominated by coverage of federal immigration tactics in Minnesota after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

“Melania” didn’t screen in advance for critics, but reviews that rolled out Friday, once the film was in theaters, weren’t good. Xan Brooks of The Guardian compared the film to a “medieval tribute to placate the greedy king on his throne.” Owen Gleiberman of Variety called it a “cheese ball informercial of staggering inertia.” Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: “To say that ‘Melania’ is a hagiography would be an insult to hagiographies.”

But among those who bought tickets over the weekend, the response was far more positive. “Melania” landed an “A” CinemaScore. Audiences were overwhelmingly 55 and older (72% of ticket buyers), female (72%) and white (75%). As expected, the movie played best in the South, with top states including Florida and Texas.

David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm FranchiseRe, called it “an excellent opening for a political documentary.”

“For any other film, with $75 million in costs and limited foreign potential, it would be a problem,” said Gross. “But this is a political investment, not a for-profit movie venture, and if it helps Amazon with a regulatory, taxation, tariff or other government issue, then it will pay back. $75 million is insignificant to Amazon.”

“Melania” is Ratner’s first film since he was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017. Multiple women, including the actor Olivia Munn, accused Ratner of sexual harassment and misconduct. Ratner has denied the allegations. Last fall, after Trump’s reported intervention, Paramount Pictures said it would distribute his “Rush Hour 4.”

“Melania,” which will stream on Prime Video following its theatrical run, was released globally. Shortly before its debut, South African distributor Filmfinity said it would no longer release it. The company said it changed course “based on recent developments.”

International ticket sales for “Melania” were expected to be minuscule.

Weekend box office estimates for the U.S.

With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

1. “Send Help,” $20 million.

2. “Iron Lung,” $17.9 million.

3. “Melania,” $7 million.

4. “Zootopia 2,” $5.8 million.

5. “Shelter,” $5.5 million.

6. “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” $5.5 million.

7. “Mercy,” $4.7 million.

8. “The Housemaid,” $3.5 million.

9. “Marty Supreme,” $2.9 million.

10. “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” $1.5 million.



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Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan turn over a new leaf after decades-long feud

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Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan turn over a new leaf after decades-long feud


The reality TV star and the ‘Freaky Friday’ actress’ feud goes back to 2006

Paris Hilton says it’s all water under the bridge with Lindsay Lohan.

Appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Thursday, January 29, the Simple Life alum revealed that she and her longtime rival have reconciled and even bonded over motherhood after years of public tension.

“We are planning to get the kids together,” Hilton, 44, shared. “I am so happy for her. She is glowing. We love being moms.”

Both women have entered a very different chapter of life since their headline-making party days, bonding over motherhood. Hilton shares son Phoenix and daughter London with husband Carter Reum, while Lohan welcomed son Luai with husband Bader Shammas. According to the reality TV star, becoming mothers helped put old drama into perspective.

Their feud famously dates back to 2006, when rumours swirled about a love triangle involving Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos. That same year, oil heir Brandon Davis insulted Lohan while out with Hilton, who was caught on camera laughing. Lohan later claimed Hilton hit her at a party, which Hilton strongly denied.

The jabs continued for years. In 2017, Hilton said Lohan “wasn’t invited” to the iconic “Holy Trinity” night with Britney Spears. And during a 2019 WWHL appearance, she called Lohan “lame” and “embarrassing.”

But by 2022, Hilton insisted there were “no bad vibes,” saying, “We’re not in high school.” She later revealed she reached out to congratulate Lohan on her engagement and even offered some mom-to-mom advice when the Parent Trap star announced her pregnancy in 2023. 





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