In a shocking turn of events, sources close to the negotiations have revealed that Netflix is in exclusive talks to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's film and TV studios and HBO Max streaming service. The proposed deal values at over $100 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in streaming history.
According to insiders, Netflix has submitted a superior offer to rival bidders, including Paramount Skydance Corp and Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal. The deal is expected to be finalized within days, should it receive regulatory approval.
As part of the agreement, Netflix would acquire the HBO network and its extensive library of popular shows, such as "Game of Thrones," "The Sopranos," and "Friends." Additionally, the streaming giant would gain control of Warner Bros.'s Burbank studios and a massive film archive comprising 12,500 feature films and 2,400 TV series.
However, some of Warner Bros. Discovery's valuable cable channels, including CNN, TBS, and TNT, are set to be spun off as separate entities before the deal closes. This decision is reportedly aimed at reducing regulatory hurdles.
In a bid to sweeten the offer, Netflix has reportedly offered a $5 billion breakup fee if the deal does not receive approval from regulators. This significant risk underscores the complexity of the acquisition process and the potential regulatory challenges that lie ahead.
The proposed acquisition would have far-reaching implications for both streaming customers and filmgoers alike. One key question on everyone's mind is whether Netflix will merge its vast catalog with HBO Max or continue to operate the latter as a separate service.
Furthermore, it remains to be seen how Netflix plans to reconcile Warner Bros.' commitment to theatrical releases with its own aversion to movie theaters. CEO Ted Sarandos has publicly expressed skepticism about the role of cinemas in the film industry, raising concerns that the acquisition could signal a shift away from traditional theatrical models.
As regulators and industry experts weigh in on the deal, one thing is clear: the proposed acquisition would have a profound impact on the streaming landscape and the world of entertainment as we know it.
According to insiders, Netflix has submitted a superior offer to rival bidders, including Paramount Skydance Corp and Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal. The deal is expected to be finalized within days, should it receive regulatory approval.
As part of the agreement, Netflix would acquire the HBO network and its extensive library of popular shows, such as "Game of Thrones," "The Sopranos," and "Friends." Additionally, the streaming giant would gain control of Warner Bros.'s Burbank studios and a massive film archive comprising 12,500 feature films and 2,400 TV series.
However, some of Warner Bros. Discovery's valuable cable channels, including CNN, TBS, and TNT, are set to be spun off as separate entities before the deal closes. This decision is reportedly aimed at reducing regulatory hurdles.
In a bid to sweeten the offer, Netflix has reportedly offered a $5 billion breakup fee if the deal does not receive approval from regulators. This significant risk underscores the complexity of the acquisition process and the potential regulatory challenges that lie ahead.
The proposed acquisition would have far-reaching implications for both streaming customers and filmgoers alike. One key question on everyone's mind is whether Netflix will merge its vast catalog with HBO Max or continue to operate the latter as a separate service.
Furthermore, it remains to be seen how Netflix plans to reconcile Warner Bros.' commitment to theatrical releases with its own aversion to movie theaters. CEO Ted Sarandos has publicly expressed skepticism about the role of cinemas in the film industry, raising concerns that the acquisition could signal a shift away from traditional theatrical models.
As regulators and industry experts weigh in on the deal, one thing is clear: the proposed acquisition would have a profound impact on the streaming landscape and the world of entertainment as we know it.
It's like they're trying to own just about everything under the sun now! 100 billion dollars is a crazy price tag, but I guess you get what you pay for, right? 
They've got some amazing content like Game of Thrones and Friends, so it's definitely going to be interesting to see how they integrate that with their own catalog.
I'm sure it'll be a wild ride for Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery customers, that's for sure.
netflix will def make some great shows with hbo max, maybe even revive game of thrones 
but what about all the channels and studios they're spinning off? that is kinda weird. anyway, fingers crossed it gets approved and we get more movies on netflix 
. I mean $100 billion is CRAZY 
what do u guys think about netflix taking over hbo max? will they merge the two or keep them separate? i mean i like hbo max for shows like game of thrones and friends but im not sure if i want to pay more for it lol
can't even imagine what's gonna happen with HBO and all those iconic shows! I think Netflix will make HBO Max way more awesome, maybe even merge them or something? 
Ted Sarandos is a genius for thinking outside the box, but what about cinemas tho?! 
here are some rough estimates:
and now w/ warner bros studios idc what ted sarandos thinks about cinemas but if he doesn't start supporting those theaters then we're in trouble 
like, movies should be accessible to everyone not just ppl with a netflix sub u feel?
I mean, what will happen to HBO Max? Will it just disappear or will it become a part of Netflix? 
It's like, what happens when you have one company controlling so much of the content? 