Warner Bros. Discovery has reportedly begun exclusive talks to sell its film and television studios, along with the HBO Max streaming service, to Netflix.
According to Bloomberg, sources familiar with the matter said Netflix is prepared to pay a $5 billion breakup fee if regulators block the transaction. If the negotiations stay on track, an agreement could be made within days. The alleged development indicates that Netflix has taken the lead over Paramount and Comcast, who were also a part of the intense bidding war.
If finalized, the agreement could shake up the entertainment industry by combining the world’s largest streaming platform with one of Hollywood’s most respected studios. It would reshape the way content is produced and distributed. The merger could provide opportunities for new global streaming strategies.
The potential acquisition is a huge move by Netflix, which has never struck a deal of this magnitude. The streaming giant has become an invaluable asset in the entertainment industry despite not owning a studio. Spokespeople for both Warner Bros. and Netflix have not confirmed any plans for a deal at the time of this article’s publication.
If this isn’t just a rumor and the deal actually goes through, Netflix would gain HBO network and its critically acclaimed franchises such as The Sopranos, Harry Potter, Friends, and The White Lotus. The acquisition would also give Netflix control over the company’s studios in California.
The outcome would be a disappointment for Paramount, which initiated the bidding war for Warner Bros. with several unsolicited offers. Warner Bros. officially put itself on the market in October, attracting many companies.
The bidding process became almost hostile, with Paramount alleging that Warner Bros. conducted the sale in a manner that unfairly benefited Netflix. In a letter, Paramount’s legal team described the procedure as “tainted.”
