Business
Paramount, Comcast, Netflix submit bids for Warner Bros. Discovery
Paramount Skydance, Comcast and Netflix formally submitted takeover offers for Warner Bros. Discovery this week ahead of a deadline for first-round offers, according to people familiar with the matter.
Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, bid solely for the film and streaming assets, which consists of the Warner Bros. studio and HBO Max, the people said. The offer would see NBCUniversal become the parent of the WBD assets, one of the people said, and would not involve a spinout of NBCUniversal as some in the industry had speculated.
Comcast is currently in the process of spinning out its portfolio of cable networks, which includes CNBC, but will retain NBCUniversal. As of January, that business unit will consist only of the broadcast network NBC, streaming service Peacock, Universal film studio and theme parks.
Comcast’s offer included a clause that would allow WBD to spin out its own cable networks, including CNN and TNT Sports, at any point before the proposed acquisition closes, the person said.
Comcast President and soon-to-be co-CEO Mike Cavanagh recently telegraphed in an earnings call that an acquisition of studio and streaming assets would be complementary to NBCUniversal. Cavanagh also said the company believes a deal would be “viable” in the context of the current regulatory environment.
Like Comcast, Netflix, also bid solely for the film and streaming assets, according to the people familiar.
Meanwhile, Paramount Skydance once again submitted, its fourth to date. In recent days, Paramount Skydance and its advisors had been weighing whether to submit a higher bid than its previous $23.50-per-share offer that WBD rejected, some of the people said.
Netflix’s offer was expected to be “disciplined” with its bid, one of the people said. Details on the size of all three offers weren’t immediately clear.
Warner Bros. Discovery alerted the bidders that it had received the offers and would be back in touch with them soon, one of the people said.
Representatives for Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Netflix and Comcast declined to comment.
Warner Bros. Discovery is aiming to have its sale process wrapped up by mid- to late-December, CNBC previously reported. Another round of bids is expected to occur in the coming weeks, some of the people said.
Last month Warner Bros. Discovery said it was expanding a strategic review of its business to include a potential sale — even as it carries on with a plan to split into two separate entities: Warner Bros., made up of the film studio and streaming platform, and Discovery Global, which would include the company’s pay TV networks.
While Warner Bros. Discovery’s split has been underway, takeover interest from the newly merged Paramount Skydance led WBD CEO David Zaslav and top brass to open up to a formal sale process.
If an offer for the studio and streaming assets were to be successful, Discovery Global would move forward with its spinout and current WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels would become CEO.
The Warner Bros. logo is displayed on a water tower at Warner Bros. Studio on September 12, 2025 in Burbank, California.
Mario Tama | Getty Images
Paramount has already sent multiple letters to WBD’s board explaining why its offer of $23.50 per share for all of WBD’s assets is in the best interest of shareholders and the company itself.
WBD’s stock gained 1% Friday to close at $23.19 per share. The company’s share price has increased more than 20% since announcing it was up for sale in October.
Paramount CEO David Ellison recently met with Saudi-backed sovereign funds about financing a potential transaction, although the conversations were only preliminary and Ellison and his father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, are prepared to fully finance a transaction, people familiar with the matter said.
While Paramount is interested in a deal for the entirety of WBD, the formal sale process has opened up the possibility of a buyer for only part of the legacy media company.
— CNBC’s David Faber contributed to this report.
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC. Versant would become the new parent company of CNBC upon Comcast’s planned spinoff of Versant.
Business
‘Side Hustle Generation’: Over 50% Of US Gen Z Opting For Extra Gigs Amid Economic Uncertainty
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At least 57% of Gen Z in the US now have side gigs, from retail to gig work, amid economic uncertainty and concerns over the impact of AI on jobs.
Gen-Z is the first generation for whom a 9-to-5 job isn’t essential for achieving financial success. (AI-Generated Image)
Amid widespread economic uncertainty, more than half of the Gen Z population in the United States is opting for side gigs to navigate the job market and for extra cash.
At least 57% of Gen Z in the US now have side gigs, compared to 21% of boomers and older, according to The Harris Poll, which dubbed them “America’s first true ‘side hustle’ generation.”
Most of them are picking up side hustles, from retail to gig work, for extra cash. Younger people “want to work [and] find success, but many of them just feel disillusioned with the opportunities to get there through the traditional career ladder,” Glassdoor chief economist Daniel Zhao told Axios.
Role Of AI
In an August report, Glassdoor researchers said that some of the youths are chasing creative or entrepreneurial goals. Moreover, AI and other technological advances have made it easier for professionals to monetise their skills and passions.
“We’re witnessing a true side hustle generation where work identity lives outside of traditional employment. Additional commentary and research also shows that there’s a growing number of Employee+ workers who diversify income streams without abandoning job security,” Glassdoor said.
“For Gen Z, the day job funds the passion project. Work pays the bills, but identity and fulfilment can come from entrepreneurial pursuits, creative endeavours, or social causes they care about,” it added.
Why Are Gen-Z Opting For Side Gigs?
One of the main reasons for this shift is job anxiety. Recent graduates are struggling to secure jobs, while those with them aren’t seeing the career growth they expect, according to Zhao.
Data shows that the financial optimism for college students has fallen to their lowest level since 2018, mostly due to concerns over unemployment and ‘AI-induced layoffs’. The advent of AI remains the most pressing concern among young workers.
As per The Harris Poll, Gen Z is the first generation for whom a 9-to-5 job isn’t essential for achieving financial success. Side hustles are not merely distractions or fallback options; they are central to Gen Z’s identity, offering creative, entrepreneurial, or activist outlets that main jobs cannot supply.
“It definitely makes me feel more financially secure,” Katie Arce, who works full-time in e-commerce and picks up shifts at a vintage clothing store in Austin, Texas, told Axios.
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United States of America (USA)
January 11, 2026, 17:08 IST
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PM Modi further emphasised that over the past 11 years, India has emerged as the largest data consumer and built the country’s largest real-time digital platform.
PM Modi speaking at the inauguration of Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India’s political stability and strong macroeconomic fundamentals are driving global investor confidence, with Gujarat emerging as a key anchor of the country’s growth story.
While addressing the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Gujarat, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s economic trajectory, saying that the country is the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with inflation under control and a strong foundation for long-term growth. He said that reform express is driving India’s journey to developed nation status.
He highlighted that India is the largest producer of milk and a leading manufacturer of generic medicines, reflecting the country’s growing strength in both agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
VIDEO | Rajkot: PM Modi (@narendramodi) says, “India is the world’s fastest-growing large economy and inflation is under control. Agricultural production in India is setting new records, and the country ranks number one in milk production. India is also the world’s largest… pic.twitter.com/R6f7tDhoZD— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 11, 2026
He noted that global institutions are increasingly bullish on India, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) describing the country as the engine of global growth.
“India is the world’s 3rd largest startup ecosystem, 3rd largest aviation market, we are in the top 3 metro networks of the world,” he said, asserting that the country is heading to become the world’s 3rd largest economy.
PM Modi further emphasised that over the past 11 years, India has emerged as the largest data consumer and built the country’s largest real-time digital platform. He highlighted that India is now the second-largest mobile manufacturer, whereas earlier the country imported nine out of ten phones.
The Prime Minister also underlined Gujarat’s contribution to India becoming the world’s third-largest economy, noting that the state has grown across sectors. He said regions like Saurashtra and Kutch, once seen as remote, have now become major drivers of Atmanirbhar Bharat and investment-led growth.
Highlighting Saurashtra’s manufacturing strength, with over 2.5 lakh MSMEs producing goods ranging from basic tools to high-precision aircraft components, PM Modi pointed to the region hosting the world’s largest ship-breaking yard and being a major hub for tile manufacturing.
He further said that India’s first semiconductor fabrication plant is coming up in Dholera, with the land ready and a predictable policy environment supporting long-term growth.
Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference
PM Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions.
The event saw the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, among other dignitaries.
He also inaugurated 13 New Smart Industrial Estates in 7 Districts (Amreli, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Kutch, Morbi, Rajkot and Surendranagar) spanning an area of over 3540 Acres by Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation before his address on Sunday.
The two-day conference summit will highlight Gujarat’s leadership in the clean energy sector and its alignment with India’s ‘Panchamrit’ commitments announced by the Prime Minister. These include achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, meeting 50 per cent of energy requirements from renewable sources, reducing projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes, lowering carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030, and attaining net-zero emissions by 2070.
Rajkot, India, India
January 11, 2026, 16:22 IST
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Business
EV adoptions gathers pace in 2025: Sales hit 2.3 million units; UP, Maharashtra lead sales – The Times of India
India sold were at 2.3 million units of electric vehicle in 2025, making up 8 per cent of all new vehicle registrations, according to a new report by the India Energy Storage Alliance, based on Vahan Portal data, cited by ANI. This boost was driven by incentives offered by the government and festive seasons. The majority portion of the sales were two-wheelers at 1.28 million units.The total registrations recorded in the overall passenger car market in the year 2025 stood at 28.2 million. Two-wheelers marked the most registrations 20 million registrations, while passenger cars were at 4.4 million and agricultural vehicles recorded 1.06 million. The recorded sales rose steadily throughout the year though slightly improved in the festival seasons due to GST benefits.Electric two-wheelers were the stars of the EV market, grabbing 57 per cent of sales. Three-wheelers came second with 0.8 million units (35 per cent), while four-wheelers logged 175,000 units. The report spotted good progress in electric delivery vehicles, especially in smaller commercial segments.Uttar Pradesh was at the forefront in this, with 400,000 units sold, taking an 18 percent market share in India’s EV segment. Maharashtra followed, with 266,000 units sold, contributing 12 percent to the segment, followed by Karnataka, with 200,000 units sold, contributing 9 percent to the market. The three accounted for over 40 percent in the country’s EV sales.Some smaller states recorded a very encouraging uptake of EVs. Delhi, Kerala, and Goa were able to reach an EV-to-ICE ratio of 14 percent, 12 percent, and 11 percent respectively. Meanwhile, states from the Northeast, Tripura, and Assam, achieved ratios of 18 percent and 14 percent, respectively.A major achievement was recorded in the three-wheeler segment, which attained a market penetration of 32 per cent. The government also created a record with their biggest ever order of electric buses—10,900 unit—valued at a massive Rs 10,900 crore through the PM E-DRIVE scheme.The report also stated that that while smaller vehicles led EV adoption, government efforts to electrify larger commercial vehicles and develop charging infrastructure were setting up India’s EV sector for continued growth beyond 2025.
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