Netflix Skips Pricey Bid, Shares Jump 8%
Bottom line: Netflix walked away from an expensive bidding war that wasn't prudent and in doing so, it conveniently leaves one competitor saddled with debt and two competitors burdened by a very long, distracting regulatory approval process — Investors agree. $NFLX shares are up 8% in after-hours trading
Get Answers on Paramount‑WBD Deal Impact
Tomorrow’s IN THE ROOM will have answers to all your questions about what the Paramount-WBD tie up means for CNN, CBS, Bari Weiss, etc… Sign up here: https://t.co/aUkyssMv7F
Use $280M Fee to Fund Next‑Gen Investigative News
Dear Ted, Take 10% of the $2.8B breakup fee—roughly $280 million—and go hire the best investigative journalists in the world. Build a next-gen 60 Minutes. A better CNN. Think of the revenge possibilities.
My December Take on the Netflix‑Warner Bros. Deal
Here’s what I wrote back in December, the day after the Netflix deal with WBD was announced: https://t.co/aiNBd98ACC
Netflix's M&A Bloodbath Exposes Shareholder, Talent, Political Crises
Hostile M&A is always bloodsport, but I can't remember an acquirer coming out of a process this bloody. Netflix has a shareholder problem (which doesn't understand why it wanted to buy a legacy studio), a Hollywood talent problem (which doesn't...
Sarandos' White House Meeting Ends Warner Bros. Bid
BURNING QUESTION: What did Ted Sarandos learn in his White House meetings today that ended his bid for Warner Bros? @thewrap
Paramount's Full-Asset Bid Keeps WBD Movies and Cable United
So Netflix ending its WBD bid means WBD's movie business and cable channels should stay together. Paramount has sought the whole package even as WBD planned to spin off its cable assets. Lots of sports media angles now with...
CNN Becomes Authoritarian
There goes CNN into the clutches of Bari Weiss and Scott Jennings: state media for the authoritarians. This is fucked. Netflix drops out of bidding after WBD deems Paramount’s takeover bid ‘superior’ https://t.co/BFoQBv1MBa
Ellisons Aim to Merge Paramount, Warner as Netflix Backs Out
Confirmed: Netflix pulls offer for Warner Bros Discovery's streaming & studio assets The Ellisons look to roll up Paramount and Warner into a Hollywood behemoth Justice Department antitrust regulators have yet to weigh in... but Trump has warming ties to Ellisons
Joe Ferencz Passes CEO Role to Ricardo Briceno
After seven years, Joe Ferencz turns the CEO job over to Ricardo Briceno. breceno https://t.co/ZjwU1hqAQD
Netflix Slides 30% After Failed WBD Merger, Confidence Restored
Netflix’s stock is down ~30% since the WBD merger drama began. While losing WBD removes the last clear major growth lever, it likely reestablishes some investor confidence. Longer-term, we’ll see if they miss the lost IP. But recent major media...
Triple Win: Netflix, WBD, and Paramount All Profit
As I wrote months ago, there was only one “win win win” here … 1) Netflix gets the break fee 2) WBD gets even more money from Para 3) Para gets the bone it wants
Netflix Rejects Paramount Offer, Cites Brand Stewardship
Netflix declines to match Paramount offer for WBD: We believe we would have been strong stewards of Warner Bros.’ iconic brands, and that our deal would have strengthened the entertainment industry and preserved and created more production jobs in the U.S.
Peter Moore Shares Key Advice on Xbox Transition
I had a good chat with Peter Moore about the Xbox transition and his advice. https://t.co/VmYujLEaQH
Warner Bros. Picks Paramount; Netflix Must Outbid With Cash
Warner Brothers Discover,,,board checked the boxes and declared paramount the high bidder …what will Netflix have to do.. need all cash And bid more ..or in the words of a great ceo say “they won.we https://t.co/BTEFBOV9AI! ‘’
Paramount Ups Bid, Netflix Faces Critical Decision
Axios Pro Rata on Feb. 11: "It feels like the next act already has been written. The 'Davids' get over themselves, Paramount raises its bid and then Netflix has a decision to make."
WonderMan's Modest Debut: 10.3M Hours, Hopes for Longevity
#WonderMan debuted to 10.3M U.S. hours, per @nielsen. As a ~half hour binge release, that's not awful but it's not great. Longer hit shows tend to premiere to 20M+ hours. I hope it has legs and can stay on the...
Warner Bros. Chooses Paramount Over Netflix, Matching Window Opens
To explain this in English: Warner Bros. has decided that Paramount's offer is better than its Netflix deal, but Netflix has a window to match or best Paramount. Does Netflix stick with it? Or will it bail? https://t.co/W9rTU1YRbY
Warner Says Paramount Offer Outpaces Netflix, Challenges Sarandos
WBD says Paramount bid > Netflix. Mr Sarandos, the ball is now in your court.
Warner Backs Paramount's Superior Offer, NLFX Should Exit
*WARNER BROS. SAYS PARAMOUNT OFFER IS 'SUPERIOR PROPOSAL' Seems like a good opportunity for $NLFX to graciously bow out of the $WBD bidding war and take the break fee paid for by $PSKY
Warner Bros Declares Paramount Deal Superior, Challenges Netflix
Warner Bros says the Paramount deal is now superior. The ball is in Netflix’s court.
Antitrust Panel Seeks Second Look at Netflix‑WBD, May Add Paramount
Antitrust subcommittee wants a second chance to beat up on Netflix - WBD deal and has hearing scheduled for March 4. Will they add Paramount to mix if at that point they are in driver's seat?
FCC Chair Warns on Sports Shift, May Sue Network
FCC Chair Unfiltered: Protecting Local News, Sports on Broadcast TV and May Sue a Network @BrendanCarrFCC did not hold back in a wide-ranging, must-watch conversation with @semaforben yesterday. The interview came shortly after Carr issued an FCC Public Notice seeking...
HBOMax Gains 3.5M Subs, Eyes Stronger Q1 Growth
With international expansion finally in full swing, #HBOMax added another 3.5M net subscriptions on Q4 2025, ending the year with 131.6M Global subscribers. And $WBD expects an even stronger Q1 2026, thanks to #AKoTSK averaging 24M views per episode, on top...
Markiplier's Indie Horror Proves Creators Can Redefine Hollywood Distribution
From YouTube to $48 million box office hit @markiplier's self-financed indie horror film 'Iron Lung' more than 15x'd it's budget and is a glimpse into how the right creators will redefine distribution in Hollywood 00:00 The Story of Iron Lung 05:54 By...
FCC Continues to Stay Silent on Warner Approval
For the ten millionth time, the FCC is not weighing in on the approval process for Warner.
Chris Christie Calls Predictive Market Players Rogue Cowboys
"These predictive market folks are rogue cowboys," former NJ guv Chris Christie on American Gaming Association webinar
Warner Bros. Games Plans Major Franchise Revivals by 2028
Warner Bros. Games will “return to some of our biggest franchises" in 2027-2028 says WB Games CEO JB Perrette. https://t.co/5OxOqI9h1i
Featured in CNBC Nintendo Business Report with Arjun Kharpal
Yours truly is featured in this @CNBC Nintendo business video report by @ArjunKharpal, alongside @Chris_Dring: https://t.co/pLhVIlTkNg
Warner Merger Spawns Chaotic Org Chart, Survival Unclear
Who survives the Warner merger mania? Org Chart From Hell: ‘Too Many Tentacles for One Octopus’ Latest @Lesleygoldberg https://t.co/No87HnVyFd
TVREV FAST Report Lands Puck News Cover Story
Our new @TVREV Special Report on FAST, "All Grown Up: FAST Comes Of Age" was featured in a cover story in @PuckNews https://t.co/drKZBs8Gi9
WBD CFO Insists only Financially Viable Sports Deals Will Proceed
"We’re not going to be doing deals that don’t make financial sense for us" -- WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels on sports rights deals. Question: Do any sports deals make financial sense?
Heritage Brands Embrace Creator Economy: Nat Geo Launches Program
As audience behavior continues to shift toward personality-driven media, more heritage brands are adapting. National Geographic is the latest legacy institution to launch its own creator program.
Warner Board Claims Value Delivery Amid Sale Process
The WBD board is "delivering significant value to WBD shareholders throughout the [sales] process" -- Warner CEO David Zaslav
Warner Bros. Discovery Investor Call Launches with Top Executives
$WBD investor call is about to begin. David Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels and JB Perrette are on the call
FCC Examines Shift of Sports From Broadcast to Streaming
D.C. Memo: @BrendanCarrFCC Has @FCC Looking at Migration of Sports Programming from Free TV to Streaming Platforms https://t.co/9Jr851pmvN
Cyberpunk's Duel Arena Poised to Earn $100M+
I see the collision of these worlds, and have long believed @cyberpunk is the man to marry them. Genuinely think the Duel Arena alone will generate $100M+ in revenue.
Nvidia Gaming GPU Supply Remains Tight for Quarters
Nvidia's gaming graphics chip production will be tight for a couple of more quarters, CFO says. https://t.co/V7qkJlyb5l
UFC White House Event Costs TKO $60M, No Profit
TKO Expects $60M Bill, No Profit From UFC Event at White House https://t.co/IhMeLJMbSC via @sportico @LuisaRBeltran
Investors Question Netflix's Push for WBD Amid Skepticism
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos will say he looks long term, but if Netflix ups its bid for WBD, investors who clearly are skeptical about the deal — even as is — may get even more concerned: why does Netflix want...
Game Industry Growth Benefits Bypass Western Developers
Why the game industry can grow but the benefits don't go to Western game developers and publishers: A last, telling slide from Matthew Ball. https://t.co/0LX4lphKZL
Dune Gets Global IMAX; Avengers Doomsday Limited to Unknown Markets
As of now, #DunePartThree and #TheOdyssey are expected to have exclusive IMAX access in most major markets across the globe. #AvengersDoomsday according to IMAX themselves currently is expected to be available in IMAX only in select international markets, and even on...
CEO Remains Bullish as Shares Plunge 70%
"The best days of @TheTradeDesk are ahead of us. I want to thank our employees, our clients, and our Partners for their trust and support throughout 2025. I am as confident as I have ever been in the opportunity in...
Paramount and Netflix Execs Hit White House Amid Deal War
Paramount's David Ellison was at POTUS State of the Union address. Netflix's Ted Sarandos headed to the White House as politics takes center stage as Paramount submits new offer for Warner Bros. Discovery. @latimes https://t.co/KSrhSdUCjY
IMAX Sets 2025 Record, Eyes 1.4B in 2026
#IMAX execs in party mode: ALL TIME RECORD 1.28B grossed in IMAX screens at Global #BoxOffice in 2025, beating 2019’s previous 1.1B record, and up +40% from 2024. Top #IMAX 2025 grossers: 1 #NeZha2 2 #AvatarFireAndAsh 3 #F1 4 #DemonSlayerInfinityCastle What’s more: 2026 is expected to be...
Paramount+ Gains 1 Million Subscribers, Reaches 78.9 M
Paramount+ subscribers rose 1 million to 78.9 mil in the 3 months ended Dec 31, '25. the parent, Paramount Skydance is set to have its earnings call shortly
Mega‑Corp Era Ends: Companies Must Downsize First
The difficult thing is managing the reality that all these companies need to become much smaller to reflect new reality + sell-offs need to happen before expansion. But self-fulfilling profit wheel that allowed for mega co's isn't coming back to...
Apple Secures High‑Profile Biopic, Expands Original Film Slate
#Apple really loved this life of releasing awards contenders, as the Big Tech giant won the bidding war beating 5 studios over the untitled #LanceArmstrong sport biopic, starring #AustinButler playing the cyclist & directed by #EdwardBerger, responsible for #Conclave &...
Post-Game Libraries Unlock ROI Amid Rising Sports Costs
Audiences love sports, but the cost of sports rights are getting out of control. How can streaming platforms ever hope to generate an ROI? By building the perfect post-game library funnel. My latest for @observer https://t.co/UNOXVWp3wA
Netflix Shares Surge After Warner Bid Sparks Wall Street Bet
Wall Street making a bet against Netflix purchase of Warner >>>>Netflix Stock Has Best Day In Over A Year After Paramount's New Warner Bros. Bid $NLFXhttps://www.investors.com/news/netflix-paramount-skydance-warner-bros-bid-offer/