Netflix to bid for Warner Bros. Discovery? What we know

The media industry is in the middle of a huge shakeup, with major companies being bought, merged, and reorganized at a fast pace. The latest big target is Warner Bros. Discovery, one of Hollywood’s most famous studios, and Netflix is now reportedly interested in buying it.

Netflix rumored to bid for Warner Bros. Discovery(Unsplash)

As per Puck News, a Hollywood insider suggested Netflix is considering making a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, which is currently run by CEO David Zaslav. While Netflix has not confirmed anything, the rumor alone is enough to shake up the entertainment world.

Other interested buyers

Netflix is not the only company eyeing Warner Bros. Discovery. Just last week, reports said that David Ellison, the son of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison and owner of Skydance Media, wanted to purchase the studio. Ellison recently completed an $8 billion deal to acquire Paramount, showing he has both the resources and ambition to expand further.

Meanwhile, NBCUniversal also reportedly ran the numbers on a possible takeover. However, experts say regulatory hurdles make such a deal nearly impossible.

Why Warner Bros. matters

Warner Bros. is one of Hollywood’s oldest and most respected studios. Over the years, it has produced classics from every era of film history. Recently, its record has been mixed. On one hand, blockbusters like Barbie and Dune: Part Two were big wins. On the other hand, titles such as Red One and the Joker sequel struggled to impress. Still, the studio remains a major prize in the entertainment world.

What a Netflix deal could mean

If Netflix were to buy Warner Bros., it would be a game-changer. As a streaming-first company, they could revolutionize the distribution of Warner Bros. films. Fans are worried that big movies will bypass theaters and go straight to streaming, with ads, changing how we watch them.

Critics also point out that Netflix has been accused of prioritizing quantity over quality, and its signature “Netflix look” has been panned for looking cheap compared to traditional films.

Also read: Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two companies, dividing cable & streaming

The bigger picture

If David Ellison ends up buying Warner Bros., observers warn of growing political influence, since his father, Larry Ellison, has close ties to former President Donald Trump. That could shape the kind of movies that get made.

For now, Warner Bros. Discovery remains in play, but whichever way the deal goes, the future of one of Hollywood’s greatest studios looks uncertain.

FAQs

1. Who is interested in buying Warner Bros. Discovery?

Both Netflix and David Ellison, owner of Skydance Media, are rumored to be considering a purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.

2. What could a Netflix acquisition mean for Warner Bros. movies?

If Netflix buys Warner Bros., films might be released directly on streaming instead of theaters, potentially changing how audiences experience big movies.