Netflix and Paramounts bidding war over Warner Bros, explained

Dec 11, 2025 - 16:00
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Netflix and Paramounts bidding war over Warner Bros, explained
A collage shows WB as an octopus on the foreground (in the middle) with two sharks on each of its sides (one representing Netflix and one - Paramount). Hollywood hill is seen on the background.

On Friday, December 5, Netflix announced that it would be acquiring Warner Bros. in a deal worth $82.7 billion. That made them the winners of a bidding war that kicked off in September, when Paramount just out of nowhere went, "hey, Warner Bros., mind if I buy you?" But Paramount's not quitting just yet. On Monday, December 8, Paramount launched its own hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. with an offer worth $108.4 billion. 

What is going on? Why is everyone going after Warner Bros.? And how is this going to impact TV and film going forward? Let's break it down.