Katarzyna Petru
Hollywood is shaking again – this time not because of the release of a big blockbuster, but due to the potential sale of Warner Bros Discovery. The management of WBD officially confirmed that the company has begun a "strategic review of options," which in practice means one thing: the studio is for sale.
According to industry sources, the biggest names in the world of entertainment and technology have shown interest – Paramount, NBCUniversal, Amazon, Apple, and even Netflix. And while some of them have already denied the rumors, conversations in Hollywood are gaining momentum.
Paramount wants to join forces with Warner
Paramount, which recently finalized its merger with Skydance, was reported to have made three offers, the last one totaling around 50 billion dollars – and it was rejected. However, this would not be the first flirtation between these studios – discussions about a possible merger had already emerged at the end of 2023. WBD CEO, David Zaslav, commented on the matter in a typically diplomatic style:
“It is not surprising that the significant value of our portfolio attracts market interest. After receiving numerous inquiries, we initiated a comprehensive review of strategic options to choose the best path for our assets.”
So translated into Hollywood speak: if someone pays enough, everything is on the table.
Netflix, Apple, and Amazon are also in the game – at least partially
Netflix, which had already been mentioned as a potential buyer of Warner and HBO, has officially denied it.
– "We have no interest in owning traditional media networks" – said co-CEO Ted Sarandos during a recent meeting with investors. Meanwhile, Comcast (NBCUniversal) and Amazon and Apple were reported to have expressed interest in buying individual parts of WBD, rather than the entire group.
WBD Will Break Apart - The Merger is Off
Regardless of the outcome of the talks, the fate is already sealed - the merger of Warner Bros and Discovery will be reversed. After years of attempts to integrate brands and changing the name of HBO Max to "Max" (and then back to HBO Max), the corporation will split again. The plan is that by mid-2026, two independent entities will be created:
Warner Bros (with HBO Max and DC Comics)
Discovery Global (TV channels, documentaries, and lifestyle)
However, if a sale of some assets occurs earlier, the separation will happen sooner.
Another Chapter in the History of Hollywood
If Paramount and Warner actually merged, it would mean the creation of a film giant with over 200 years of combined legacy. Brands like Star Trek, South Park, and Mission: Impossible would be under the same roof as Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Dune, Game of Thrones, and DC Comics.
After Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, only five remain from the “Big Six” film studios. A new merger would bring that count down to the Big Four – and traditional Hollywood would finally collide with the streaming giants.
Warner Bros Discovery has officially been put up for sale. Paramount has already tried, Netflix denies, and Apple and Amazon are watching the situation from the sidelines. One thing is for sure – the next big Hollywood puzzle is just beginning.
