{"id":28186,"date":"2026-02-26T17:46:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T22:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/warner-bros-discovery-now-favors-paramount-bid-over-netflix-in-corporate-battle\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T17:46:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T22:46:09","slug":"warner-bros-discovery-now-favors-paramount-bid-over-netflix-in-corporate-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/warner-bros-discovery-now-favors-paramount-bid-over-netflix-in-corporate-battle\/","title":{"rendered":"Warner Bros. Discovery Now Favors Paramount Bid Over Netflix in Corporate Battle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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NEW YORK \u2014 In a dramatic reversal that could reshape Hollywood’s landscape, Warner Bros. Discovery announced Thursday that Paramount’s enhanced takeover proposal now outshines the media company’s existing agreement with Netflix.<\/p>

The entertainment conglomerate behind HBO Max, DC Studios, and blockbuster franchises like “Harry Potter” had previously supported Netflix’s bid for several months. However, following Skydance-backed Paramount’s decision to raise its comprehensive buyout offer to $31 per share along with additional sweeteners, Warner’s leadership declared the revised proposal represents a “company superior proposal.”<\/p>

This development sets the stage for what could become an intense new round of corporate warfare. Netflix now faces a four-day deadline to either equal Paramount’s terms or enhance its current $27.75 per share proposal, which targets Warner’s entertainment and streaming divisions specifically.<\/p>

Despite Thursday’s announcement, Warner Bros. Discovery emphasized that Netflix’s original agreement remains valid. The board clarified it “has not withdrawn or modified” its earlier endorsement of the Netflix transaction.<\/p>

Netflix representatives did not provide immediate comment when contacted.<\/p>

Paramount CEO David Ellison celebrated the development, stating his company was “pleased WBD’s Board has unanimously affirmed the superior value of our offer.”<\/p>

The corporate battle reflects fundamentally different strategic visions. While Netflix seeks Warner’s studio and streaming assets, Paramount pursues complete ownership, including traditional television networks such as CNN and Discovery.<\/p>

Recent weeks have witnessed an increasingly aggressive public competition between the two suitors. Thursday’s announcement followed Paramount’s decision to substantially improve its proposal terms.<\/p>

Beyond raising its acquisition price, Paramount committed to a $7 billion regulatory termination fee. The company also accelerated its “ticking fee” timeline, agreeing to pay 25 cents per share quarterly if the transaction extends beyond September’s end, rather than waiting until year-end as originally proposed.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The media giant behind HBO Max and DC Studios has declared Paramount’s revised $31 per share takeover offer superior to its existing Netflix deal. This dramatic reversal could spark a new bidding war, with Netflix having four days to counter Paramount’s enhanced proposal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":28185,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[834],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772145968648.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-7kC","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":25926,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/paramount-raises-bid-for-warner-bros-discovery-to-challenge-netflix-deal\/","url_meta":{"origin":28186,"position":0},"title":"Paramount Raises Bid for Warner Bros Discovery to Challenge Netflix Deal","author":"Admin","date":"February 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Paramount has increased its offer to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, intensifying competition with Netflix for control of major entertainment properties. The battle involves billions of dollars and popular franchises like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. Netflix currently has a $27.75 per share deal but faces pressure from Paramount's higher\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771887664178.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21490,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/warner-bros-turns-down-paramounts-30b-bid-opens-week-long-negotiation-window\/","url_meta":{"origin":28186,"position":1},"title":"Warner Bros Turns Down Paramount’s $30B Bid, Opens Week-Long Negotiation Window","author":"Admin","date":"February 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Warner Bros Discovery has declined Paramount's latest $30-per-share takeover attempt but granted the studio seven days to present an improved offer. The decision comes as Warner Bros prepares for a March shareholder vote on its planned merger with Netflix.","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771336897305.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":26378,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/hollywood-giants-battle-for-warner-bros-as-paramount-ups-bid-against-netflix\/","url_meta":{"origin":28186,"position":2},"title":"Hollywood Giants Battle for Warner Bros as Paramount Ups Bid Against Netflix","author":"Admin","date":"February 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Warner Bros Discovery is evaluating a higher offer from Paramount as the media company attempts to outbid Netflix's $82.7 billion deal. The bidding war centers on acquiring one of Hollywood's most valuable studios with major franchises like Game of Thrones and Harry Potter.","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771945287281.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":29041,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/warner-bros-discovery-sold-to-paramount-in-massive-110b-entertainment-merger\/","url_meta":{"origin":28186,"position":3},"title":"Warner Bros Discovery Sold to Paramount in Massive $110B Entertainment Merger","author":"Admin","date":"February 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Warner Bros Discovery has been acquired by Paramount Skydance in a $110 billion entertainment industry deal after Netflix withdrew from the bidding competition. The massive merger will combine major film franchises like Harry Potter and Mission Impossible under one studio roof. The transaction is expected to finalize by late 2026\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772230640156.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":28931,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/paramount-acquires-warner-bros-discovery-in-massive-110-billion-hollywood-deal\/","url_meta":{"origin":28186,"position":4},"title":"Paramount Acquires Warner Bros Discovery in Massive $110 Billion Hollywood Deal","author":"Admin","date":"February 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Paramount has successfully acquired Warner Bros Discovery in a $110 billion transaction that was finalized Friday morning, according to a company executive speaking during an internal meeting. The mega-deal creates one of Hollywood's largest film studios and will likely combine streaming services HBO Max and Paramount+.","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772219890519.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21470,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/netflix-gives-warner-bros-7-day-window-to-resume-paramount-merger-discussions\/","url_meta":{"origin":28186,"position":5},"title":"Netflix Gives Warner Bros 7-Day Window to Resume Paramount Merger Discussions","author":"Admin","date":"February 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Netflix has provided Warner Bros. Discovery with a temporary waiver to restart acquisition negotiations with Paramount Skydance. 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