Netflix is approaching the largest deal in the history of streaming: what we know
5 December 21:42
Netflix has taken the lead in the race to acquire Warner Bros. film and television studios, entering into exclusive negotiations with the company’s current owner. If the deal goes through, it will be one of the most ambitious transformations of the Hollywood market in decades. This was reported by Reuters, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to the publication, Warner Bros. received a second round of offers from Netflix, Paramount Skydance, and Comcast, but Netflix’s offer of $28 per share was the most competitive. It exceeds not only the market value on the last day of trading, but also Paramount’s offer, which was around $24 per share.
What’s behind the deal
Netflix, which dominates online streaming, is trying to reduce its dependence on external studios while expanding its intellectual assets. Acquisition of Warner Bros. would mean control over some of the most profitable franchises in the world, from Harry Potter to Game of Thrones.
For Netflix, this is a strategic step toward vertical integration: the company gets not only a content library but also a production infrastructure that will allow it to create large projects without intermediaries. This also guarantees the platform exclusive and long-term access to premium content, which is currently becoming more expensive and competitive.
Hollywood is currently going through a period of large-scale consolidation
Traditional studios are trying to counteract falling movie theater revenues and shrinking advertising budgets, while major streaming platforms – from Apple to Disney – are looking for ways to strengthen their positions.
Warner Bros., which also owns HBO and popular franchises, is becoming an attractive target because of the value and strategic importance of its library.
Negotiations are ongoing, and the final decision will depend on whether Netflix can agree on the terms of the acquisition and obtain regulatory approval. If successful, the deal could radically change the landscape of the industry and significantly reshape the competition between media giants.
At the same time, other studios and tech companies are expected to step up their search for new acquisitions in order not to be left behind in the race for content and audience.
