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“Paramount Launches Hostile Takeover Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, Aiming to Block Netflix Deal” 🚨🚨🚨

The bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has erupted into full-blown corporate drama. On Monday, Paramount Skydance shocked the entertainment world by launching a hostile all-cash tender offer to acquire WBD at $30 per share — an aggressive move designed to derail Netflix’s previously announced acquisition agreement.

The unexpected strike arrives just weeks after Paramount appeared to be the leading suitor for WBD, only to lose momentum as Netflix moved forward with its own strategic deal. Now, the studio is attempting to reverse the narrative by appealing directly to shareholders.

Paramount Goes Directly to Investors

Paramount said it was forced into a hostile bid after submitting six proposals over 12 weeks that WBD “never engaged meaningfully” with. By bypassing the board and taking the offer straight to investors, Paramount is betting that its full-company acquisition will be seen as more valuable than Netflix’s targeted purchase.

While Paramount’s offer is only $2.25 per share higher than Netflix’s agreed-upon price, the key difference is scope:

• Netflix seeks to acquire WBD’s studio and streaming businesses

• Paramount wants to purchase the entire company, including networks and legacy assets

Paramount argues that its offer “delivers the best outcome for WBD shareholders” and represents a “clearly superior alternative.”

Netflix Faces Political and Industry Pushback

Though Netflix moved swiftly to secure its deal, opposition is mounting. Over the weekend, President Trump suggested the merger “could be a problem,” signaling that the administration may scrutinize or even challenge the agreement.

That pressure could weaken Netflix’s position and improve Paramount’s odds — though hostile takeovers remain extremely difficult to execute, especially at this scale.

Market Reaction: Stocks Surge, Questions Remain

Shares of both WBD and Paramount jumped on the news Monday morning.

• WBD traded at $27.52, still notably below the $30 tender price — suggesting investors are uncertain whether the deal will succeed.

• Paramount Skydance also climbed, reflecting optimism that shareholders may respond favorably to the bold move.

The market’s initial reaction underscores the growing uncertainty around WBD’s future ownership — and highlights the unusual spectacle of one takeover attempt trying to leapfrog another.

A Battle That Could Shape Hollywood’s Future

With streaming economics tightening and legacy media companies under pressure, the outcome of this takeover battle will have major implications for the entertainment industry. Whether WBD ends up owned by Netflix, Paramount, or neither, the fight illustrates how valuable premium IP, studio scale, and streaming leverage have become.