Home / Business and Economy / Skydance Seals $110B Deal for Warner Bros. Discovery
Skydance Seals $110B Deal for Warner Bros. Discovery
28 Feb
Summary
- Paramount Skydance has acquired Warner Bros. Discovery for $110 billion.
- Netflix declined to match Paramount's superior offer, ending its bid.
- California regulators will conduct a vigorous review of the $110 billion deal.
Paramount Skydance has successfully acquired Warner Bros. Discovery in a monumental $110 billion deal. This acquisition concludes a fierce bidding competition, notably after Netflix decided not to match the final offer. The agreement was finalized on Friday, February 27, 2026, following an announcement during a company town hall.
Netflix's decision not to match Paramount's $31-per-share offer, which Warner Bros. considered superior to Netflix's $27.75-per-share proposal, paved the way for the Paramount Skydance agreement. The combined entity promises to be a dominant force in Hollywood, leveraging Warner Bros.' extensive intellectual property, including franchises like 'Fantastic Beasts' and 'The Matrix'.
This significant merger is not without its challenges. California regulators have announced plans for a thorough review of the $110 billion transaction, citing potential impacts on consumer choice and pricing. Despite these concerns, Paramount anticipates securing antitrust approval from the European Union with minimal required divestitures.
The deal, which encompasses approximately $29 billion in debt, is poised to bolster Paramount's streaming ambitions through a potential integration of HBO Max and Paramount+. This move aims to increase market share and intensify competition with market leader Netflix. Concerns have also been raised by cinema operators regarding potential job losses and a reduction in theatrical film releases.
