Netflix is reportedly seriously considering acquiring Warner Bros.
The leader in streaming services is reportedly preparing an offer to take over the century-old studio.
What if Superman, Batman, Harry Potter or Barbie one day joined the Netflix catalog? According to information from Reuters, the American platform is actively studying a takeover offer from the Warner Bros. group. Discovery. To do this, it would have mandated the investment bank Moelis & Co. to structure a merger-acquisition proposal.
Last week, the board of directors of Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed that it has received several expressions of interest from “several players” and has begun a process of reviewing offers. Netflix has already obtained privileged access to the group’s financial accounts in view of its potential offer. It is still unclear whether or not the project would include HBO Max.
For now, Netflix, as well as Warner Bros. Discovery and the bank in question declined to comment.
During the presentation of quarterly results, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos nevertheless affirmed that his group had “no interest in owning traditional television channels”, which would rule out a complete takeover of the group including CNN, TBS, HGTV or Food Network. He added, however, that Netflix could be “selective” in its acquisitions, before qualifying: “Nothing is essential to achieve our objectives.”
This renewed appetite comes as David Ellison and Skydance Media, now owners of Paramount Global, are multiplying aggressive offers on the market and are particularly interested in taking over Warner Bros. Discovery – which also rejected three proposals from Skydance deemed too weak, the last valuing the action at $23.50.
Finally, Comcast – which owns the Universal studio – would also remain on the lookout for a possible takeover, but only for the studio or streaming part. His co-CEO Mike Cavanagh recently declared that “the bar remains high” for considering a merger, while leaving the door ajar to possible discussions…
So Netflix? Paramount? Or Universal? Who will Warner Bros. merge with? in the coming months?
