In a major new development for the streaming industry, Paramount Skydance has made a surprise offer to buy Warner Bros Discovery. This move directly challenges a previous deal between Warner Bros and the much larger Netflix, creating a serious corporate conflict.
The situation began just days ago when Netflix announced an agreement to buy Warner Bros Discovery for about $83 billion. That deal, however, was complex and required parts of Warner Bros, like CNN, to be sold off separately. Paramount, which had tried to buy Warner Bros before, has now returned with a simpler and more aggressive offer. They are going directly to Warner Bros shareholders, not its management.
Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison and supported by his wealthy father, Larry Ellison, is making a different argument to shareholders. Their offer is a straightforward cash payment of $30 for each share. They say this is a better deal, providing an extra $18 billion in cash compared to Netflix's plan. David Ellison called it a **"superior alternative"** that gives **"greater value and a more certain and faster path to completion."**
Experts believe Paramount's real goal is to create a stronger company. A combined Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery could compete better with giants like Disney and Netflix. Together, they would control a huge collection of popular movies and shows, from Paramount's *Mission: Impossible* to Warner's Harry Potter and DC Comics.
Another important factor is government approval. Paramount hints that its deal would face fewer legal problems than the Netflix deal. This became a political topic when former President Donald Trump criticized the concentration of media power in the Netflix agreement. Some observers think the Ellison family's connection to Trump might help, but this is not certain.
This new offer creates great uncertainty. Warner Bros Discovery shareholders must now choose between a higher cash offer from Paramount and the global power of Netflix. The fight for control will likely continue for some time, shaping the future of famous media brands and the entire streaming market. The competition has clearly entered a new and more intense phase.