Netflix Exploring Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

41 minutes ago, SpiderS said:

It's for sure an interesting process; it was clear from the start that Zaslav's sole purpose was to get WB in good shape and ready to sell after the disastrous AT&T mishandling. My main concern is how well each buyer will treat the DC brand as a whole. Netflix is, in my opinion, probably the worst one when it comes to handling the studio and DC publishing because they are foremost a digital company. There's a real probability that they would close down DC Comics and license the comics line to IDW, Image, or Dark Horse. But the same can be said about Skydance/Paramount or Universal/Comcast, although these two might keep the studio intact and the idea generator that is DC Comics alive for prestige reasons, especially since Ellison's willingness to get WB is somewhat optimistic.

DC is pure I.P. and the expansive brand is a big juicy lure in the sale because there's so many licensing directions. Paramount has licenses that are somewhat more limited: Star Trek and Top Gun et al.The only two other sublet brands that can match DC are Marvel and Star Wars, and Disney envelopes the two of them.Warners is so much more than DC though, but DC as a unti would be offered up intact, rather than parted out. Things like the publishing division will continue because comics, in and of themselves, are more valuable as mere market-presence than anything else, even if they are not the most profitable things. Plus, they are constant and new IP generators, to boot.

It's for sure an interesting process; it was clear from the start that Zaslav's sole purpose was to get WB in good shape and ready to sell after the disastrous AT&T mishandling. My main concern is how well each buyer will treat the DC brand as a whole. Netflix is, in my opinion, probably the worst one when it comes to handling the studio and DC publishing because they are foremost a digital company. There's a real probability that they would close down DC Comics and license the comics line to IDW, Image, or Dark Horse. But the same can be said about Skydance/Paramount or Universal/Comcast, although these two might keep the studio intact and the idea generator that is DC Comics alive for prestige reasons, especially since Ellison's willingness to get WB is somewhat optimistic.

Following up onour article from last week, Netflix is reportedly considering a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, working with Moelis & Co. to put together a prospective offer. According toReuters, The Warner Bros. Discovery board has started reviewing offers from several interested parties and has allowed Netflix access to financials, though it's unclear if HBO Max would be part of any deal. Neither Netflix nor Warner Bros. Discovery have commented officially.During its Q3 earnings call, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated the company isnt pursuing legacy media networks, implying a full acquisition is unlikely. Meanwhile, Paramount Skydances David Ellison has made three unsuccessful bids, topping at $23.50 per share. Comcast is also exploring an offer focused on studio and streaming assets, with co-CEO Mike Cavanagh suggesting more deals may be viable after spinning off linear cable channels into Versant later this year.

Warner Bros. studios have recently seen box-office success with films likeSuperman,Minecraft Movie, andFinal Destination Bloodlines, while its TV division continues to produce hits for both Netflix (Running Point,You, andMaid) and other networks (Abbott Elementary,Shrinking,The Voice).

If wb going for sale I prefer Netflix buy them it Will Give DC movies and tv shows bigger audince then HBO Max

Recipe for disaster ...sadly they have all the tools they need, but just not skilled enough to use them as well

I had a colleague who was working on various WB DC projects as an FX Super--and recounted that, back then, every meeting collapsed into screaming matches about the projects.Every.Meeting.The overall thread was that the people making the judgment-calls simply "did not get it" as to what was wrong with the films. So they kept making the same mistakes.And looking at the finished films from that time forward, every film has been consistently "off" in some ways. Take that as one will, but it says to me that the decision making environment therein remains toxix in the same way. I suspect WB may have gained some clearer heads that recognize their best option is to sell off their IP and let someone else tackle it.........and take the bumps.There is so much money to be made, and so many creative choices in play that egoes are readily attacked when they call it wrong. That's never been a good mix.

Is this for gaining more cash overall? I mean, there are times when a big company sells all assets and then just "rent" their own stuff in order to get a huge amount of money injection to fund other projects. When shareholders are visible it's always a top risk of not getting back money from a move and then they won't be in for another round unless a layoff, or simply just selling the whole company. It's crazy.

On 10/22/2025 at 4:31 PM, Jscott991 said:

Given all the hoops they had to jump through to get approval for their acquisition of Fox stuff, I doubt they could manage to get WB.

Yeah, that's too big a monopoly.

1 hour ago, FutureWO1 said:

I'm surprised Disney has not tried.

Given all the hoops they had to jump through to get approval for their acquisition of Fox stuff, I doubt they could manage to get WB.

I'm surprised Disney has not tried.