Warner Bros Discovery make feelings clear on proposed takeover bids

WorldBusiness & Finance
18 Dec 2025 • 1:14 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has rejected a hostile takeover bid from rival Paramount Skydance, stating it favours a deal with streaming giant Netflix.
  • The WBD board deemed Paramount's offer “inadequate” and a “significant risk” to shareholders, citing its failure to address key concerns.
  • Paramount's bid valued WBD at $108.4 billion including debts, surpassing Netflix′s $72 billion offer for WBD's film and TV studios.
  • Affinity Partners, the private equity firm owned by Jared Kushner, withdrew its financial backing from Paramount's bid.
  • This withdrawal is seen as removing a potential advantage for Paramount in securing regulatory approval, following Mr. Trump's previous concerns about the Netflix deal's market share.

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