Press Release: Warner Bros. Discovery Sets Special Meeting Date of March 20, 2026, And Unanimously Recommends Shareholders Vote FOR Netflix Merger; As Talks With Paramount Are Underway

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Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. ("WBD") (NASDAQ: WBD) today announced that it will hold the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Special Meeting") to vote on the merger with Netflix, Inc. ("Netflix") (NASDAQ: NFLX) on March 20, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time and the commencement of mailing of the definitive proxy statement to shareholders in connection with the Special Meeting. WBD also announced today that Netflix has provided WBD a limited waiver under the terms of WBD's merger agreement with Netflix, permitting WBD to engage in discussions with Paramount Skydance ("PSKY") (NASDAQ: PSKY) for a seven-day period ending on February 23, 2026 to seek clarity for WBD stockholders and provide PSKY the ability to make its best and final offer. During this period, WBD will engage with PSKY to discuss the deficiencies that remain unresolved and clarify certain terms of PSKY's proposed merger agreement. Netflix retains its matching rights as defined by the merger agreement.

The WBD Board of Directors (the "WBD Board") continues to unanimously recommend in favor of the Netflix merger. The WBD Board also unanimously recommends that shareholders reject the PSKY offer, for the reasons set forth in the amendment to our Schedule 14D-9 filed today with the SEC.

Following receipt of PSKY's latest amended offer, a senior representative for PSKY informed a WBD Board member that, if the WBD Board authorized discussions, PSKY would agree to pay $31 per share and that the offer was not PSKY's "best and final" proposal. This price, along with several other matters that PSKY stated it would address in its February 10 letter, are not reflected in the latest merger agreement that PSKY proposed. To provide specific clarity in this regard, WBD has today sent PSKY a letter, included below, setting out the key issues yet to be addressed by PSKY, along with drafts of full transaction agreements for PSKY to confirm the terms of its offer.

"Throughout the entire process, our sole focus has been on maximizing value and certainty for WBD shareholders," said David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery. "Every step of the way, we have provided PSKY with clear direction on the deficiencies in their offers and opportunities to address them. We are engaging with PSKY now to determine whether they can deliver an actionable, binding proposal that provides superior value and certainty for WBD shareholders through their best and final offer."

Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr., Chair of the Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors added, "As announced today, we continue to believe the Netflix merger is in the best interests of WBD shareholders due to the tremendous value it provides, our clear path to achieve regulatory approval and the transaction's protections for shareholders against downside risk. With Netflix, we will create a brighter future for the entertainment industry – providing consumers with more choice, creating and protecting jobs and expanding U.S. production capacity while increasing investments to drive the long-term growth of our industry."

WBD today sent the following letter to PSKY, together with revised versions of the merger agreement and other transaction documentation:

Dear Members of the PSKY Board:

The Board of Directors of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is fully committed to delivering a superior transaction to our shareholders. Since our decision last year to separate our Streaming & Studios businesses from our Global Linear Networks business, we have actively explored a wide range of alternatives, including through a publicly-announced strategic review process in which Paramount Skydance (PSKY) participated, having initially approached WBD in September 2025. Our agreed transaction with Netflix offers superior value for our shareholders, allows us to achieve our strategic goal to separate WBD's businesses, offers a high degree of certainty with minimal risk to the businesses in the interim and has essentially no financing risk. The WBD Board continues to unanimously recommend that our shareholders approve the Netflix transaction, as reflected in the definitive proxy statement we have filed with the SEC today.

On February 10, PSKY amended its tender offer for WBD common stock. While this amendment addresses some of the concerns that WBD had identified several months ago, it still contains many of the unfavorable terms and conditions that were in the draft agreements submitted by PSKY on December 4, 2025 and December 22, 2025 and twice unanimously rejected by our Board. PSKY indicated in its February 10 letter to the WBD Board a willingness to address some of those concerns, but does not do so in its proposed merger agreement, leaving WBD with vague assurances of intention. Other important issues raised several times with PSKY are unchanged from your prior submissions. On February 11th, a senior representative of your financial advisor communicated orally to a member of our Board that PSKY would agree to pay $31 per WBD share if we engage with you, and that $31 is not PSKY's best and final proposal.

We are writing to inform you that Netflix has agreed to provide WBD a waiver of certain terms of the Netflix merger agreement to permit us, through February 23, to engage with PSKY to clarify your proposal, which we understand will include a WBD per share price higher than $31. We seek your best and final proposal. To be clear, our Board has not determined that your proposal is reasonably likely to result in a transaction that is superior to the Netflix merger. We continue to recommend and remain fully committed to our transaction with Netflix and have scheduled a special meeting of our shareholders on March 20, 2026 to vote on the Netflix merger agreement.

As you know, it is typical and expected for a would-be overbidder to accept the substantive terms of the merger agreement that the target company has already agreed with its existing merger party. To provide you with specific clarity in this regard, we have prepared, and our legal counsel will deliver to you today, copies of transaction agreements that conform to this approach, address key issues for the WBD Board in prior PSKY offers and incorporate the terms and assurances reflected in your February 10 letter, as well as certain other changes to reflect matters unique to your proposal. Attached at the end of this letter is a business summary of these changes. As part of your binding proposal, the WBD Board needs confirmation that you are prepared to sign our proposed agreements. We encourage you to be direct and transparent with your best and final value and other terms in that binding proposal.

During this seven-day period – as we consistently did during the strategic review process last year – we welcome the opportunity to engage with you and expeditiously determine whether PSKY can deliver an actionable, binding proposal that provides superior value, transaction certainty and interim protection for WBD's businesses to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders.

On behalf of the WBD Board of Directors,

Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr.                                                       

Board Chair

David Zaslav

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Summary of Changes to Transaction Agreements

Below is a summary of the principal business changes reflected in the transaction agreements provided by WBD today, as compared to the draft agreements provided by PSKY in its tender offer. Many of these reflect terms proposed by PSKY in its public statements but not reflected in its merger agreement; others align the draft agreement with the terms of the Netflix merger agreement.

Refinancing and Junior Lien Notes: PSKY to bear expenses in connection with any junior notes liability management exercise when incurred, or pay the $1.5 billion financing fee to WBD at the time it would be due (December 30, 2026). The Netflix merger agreement does not require WBD to bear any cost in this regard.

Bridge Refinancing: PSKY's consent will not be required for WBD's bridge refinancing, which will consist of dollar and euro term loan debt and bonds on market terms available at the time of the refinancing. The bond component will have a tenor of no more than 7 years, and will be non-callable for no more than 3 years, and the loan component will be non-callable for no more than 1 year. This provision is substantially more favorable to PSKY than the terms of the Netflix Merger Agreement, which permit WBD full refinancing flexibility.

Material Adverse Effect: Consistent with the statement in PSKY's Feb. 10 letter that it is "prepared to address any concerns WBD has regarding the impact of Discovery Global's performance on closing certainty," the "Company Material Adverse Effect" definition excludes effects attributable to the performance of WBD's Global Linear Networks business (consistent with the Netflix Merger Agreement).

Equity Cure to Support Debt: The significant debt financing and resulting pro forma leverage in the PSKY offer create material closing uncertainty, particularly when compared to Netflix's investment grade credit rating and large positive free cash flow. PSKY has repeatedly stated that these concerns are not serious, noting the personal wealth of your lead equity sponsor and the credibility of your lending banks. To reflect your assurances, the draft agreements provide that in the event the transaction would not close due to the debt financing being unavailable, additional equity will be funded to enable closing to occur

Interim Operating Covenants: The interim operating covenants should not require consent from PSKY in order for WBD to operate its business in the ordinary course between signing and closing. The additional covenants you have proposed are not part of our agreement with Netflix, and are not accepted, as they further risk the certainty of closing.

Equity Financing Certainty: Our changes to the PSKY equity documents reflect the need for absolute clarity as to funding obligations and certainty of funding at closing, or to pay damages if due.

Equity Syndication: WBD will receive notice and full information regarding any equity syndication, and its consent will be required for any direct or indirect syndication that would require regulatory approvals or delay closing.

The WBD Board has not determined that PSKY's proposal is reasonably likely to result in a transaction that is superior to the Netflix merger. There can be no assurance that a definitive transaction will result from WBD's discussions with PSKY. The WBD Board and management team remain resolute in their commitment to maximizing value for shareholders and continue to recommend shareholders vote FOR the merger with Netflix.

NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-To-Consumer Annoncent Qu'E! Et SYFY Vont Être Rebaptisées Bravo Et SciFi En France

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NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-To-Consumer annoncent que deux chaînes de l’offre Universal+ en France adopteront de nouvelles identités de marque à compter du 17 mars.

E! deviendra Bravo, la chaîne internationale emblématique de NBCUniversal dédiée à la télé‑réalité et aux franchises iconiques du genre, tandis que SYFY deviendra SciFi, avec un nouveau nom et une nouvelle identité visuelle, tout en restant la destination incontournable des fans de science‑fiction.

L’offre de divertissement Universal+ – qui comprend 13ÈME RUE, DreamWorks et prochainement Bravo et SciFi – est disponible en France via SFR, Bouygues Telecom, Prime Video, Molotov, Free et Orange (mais pas Canal+).

L’offre de divertissement que propose Universal+ en France monte en puissance avec le lancement de Bravo et l’arrivée de SciFi. », déclare Hendrik McDermott, Managing Director, Hayu, EMEA Networks & International Direct-To-Consumer, NBCUniversal. « Grâce à Bravo, leader mondialement reconnu dans l’univers de la télé‑réalité, les téléspectateurs français pourront regarder davantage de contenus incontournables et de franchises emblématiques, associés à une chaîne de science‑fiction au look entièrement renouvelé avec SciFi. 

"Présente depuis de nombreuses années aux États‑Unis, et accessible au Canada, en Australie, en Nouvelle‑Zélande et en Afrique, Bravo est une chaîne de télévision emblématique, reconnue pour son offre de télé‑réalités premium et ses franchises phares. Portée par l’immense popularité des contenus Bravo, E! avait déjà élargi sa sélection de programmes Bravo ces derniers mois. La chaîne rebrandée diffusera encore plus d’émissions phares de Bravo, notamment : The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Below Deck et ses déclinaisons (Méditerranée, Sailing Yacht, Australie), Southern Hospitality, Bravo’s Love Hotel, Next Gen

Un nouveau look et un nouveau nom, mais toujours la destination incontournable des fans de science‑fiction, SciFi continue d’offrir les programmes phares du genre, tout en enrichissant sa grille avec des nouveautés exclusives, dont la nouvelle série War of the Kingdoms, disponible en intégralité à la demande ; Domino Day ; et The Librarians: The Next Chapter (Saison 2), dont le lancement est prévu dans l’année. Elle propose également l’intégralité des séries Grimm et Heroes, disponibles à la demande, permettant aux fans de redécouvrir ces franchises cultes à leur rythme. SciFi est la chaîne de référence pour les séries, films et franchises emblématiques de la science‑fiction. Des sagas spatiales aux mystères surnaturels, elle rassemble des communautés passionnées et propose des rendez‑vous événementiels avec des exclusivités, des classiques du genre et des films à succès."

Bravo va remplacer la chaîne E! La chaîne SYFY va devenir SciFi. 

Warner Bros. Discovery Is Now Considering Sale To Paramount

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Warner Bros Discovery is considering reopening sale talks with rival Hollywood studio Paramount Skydance, after receiving its hostile suitor's most recent amended offer, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Members of Warner Bros' board are discussing whether Paramount could offer the path to a superior deal, the Bloomberg report said, adding that the board has not decided how to respond and may stick to the current deal with Netflix.

Paramount had enhanced its Warner Bros bid last week by offering shareholders extra cash for each quarter the deal fails to close after this year. It also agreed to cover the breakup fee the HBO parent would owe Netflix if it walked away, even though the CBS owner did not raise its per-share offer.

Paramount said it has offered shareholders a 25-cent-per-share quarterly "ticking fee" (about $650 million) in cash starting in 2027 until closing and agreed to cover Warner Bros’ $2.8 billion breakup fee to Netflix. However, it did not raise its $30-per-share offer, valuing the deal at $108.4 billion including debt.

Both Netflix and Paramount covet Warner Bros for its leading film and television studios, extensive content library and major franchises such as "Game of Thrones," "Harry Potter" and DC Comics superheroes Batman and Superman.

Activist investor Ancora Holdings, which has built a nearly $200 million stake, last week said it plans to oppose the Netflix deal, arguing the board did not sufficiently engage with Paramount over its rival bid, which includes cable assets like CNN and TNT.

Dangerous Alliances And Criminal Secrets Collide In New Thriller In Flight On Universal TV

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Set to deliver tension and twists, In Flight will premiere on Universal TV (DStv 117) on 19 February with new episodes every Thursday at 8 PM until the season finale on 26 March 2026.

When flight attendant and single mum Jo Conran is forced to smuggle drugs to protect her imprisoned son, she’s dragged into a dangerous criminal underworld. There she encounters Cormac Kelleher, who promises to keep her son safe so long as she smuggles heroin for him. Desperate, Jo reaches out to her ex, Dom Delaney, a customs officer, who begins to help Jo uncover the truth behind Cormac’s network before it’s too late.

Jo is an ordinary woman in an extraordinary situation. Over the course of the series, she is forced to negotiate gangsters, corrupt cops, hired killers and an unlikely love triangle fraught with danger. Terrified, alone and out of her depth, she learns fast and hatches a daring plot to turn the tables on the outfit threatening her son. Set against the fast-paced, high-pressure backdrop of international air travel, In Flight follows Jo’s relentless quest to protect her family while entangled in a dangerous criminal syndicate.

The cast includes Katherine Kelly (Mr Bates vs. The Post Office, The Long Shadow, Happy Valley), Ashley Thomas (Them, Top Boy), Stuart Martin (Rebel Moon, Miss Scarlet and The Duke), Harry Cadby (Everything Now, Red Rose), Tony Pitts (All Creatures Great & Small), Corinna Brown (Heartstopper, The Summer I Turned Pretty), Emma Higginbottom (Ted Lasso), Bronagh Waugh (Ridley, The Stolen Girl) and Ambreen Razia (Hounslow Diaries, Ted Lasso).

In Flight is a high-octane 6x60’ drama series produced by Buccaneer Media (The Crow Girl, Marcella, The Burning Girls), written and co-created by Mike Walden (Marcella, Whitstable Pearl) and Adam Randall (Slow Horses, iBoy), produced by Brendan Mullin (Wreck, Dalgliesh) and directed by Chris Baugh (Wreck, Tin Star).

Executive Producers are Anna Burns, Richard Tulk-Hart and Tony Wood for Buccaneer Media, Rebecca Dundon and Simon Judd for Fremantle, Mike Walden, Adam Randall, Katherine Kelly and Chris Baugh. Fremantle is handling global sales.

In Flight premieres on Universal TV on 19 February at 8PM, with new episodes airing every Thursday until 26 March.

February 2026 On History Across Africa | Lost Grail With Alice Roberts | The Curse Of Oak Island | The Proof Is Out There

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Lost Grail with Alice Roberts

Sundays at 20:15

Starting 15 February

 

Synopsis:

Alice Roberts investigates Britain’s Holy Grail legend, beginning on the Isle of Wight with the story of Joseph of Arimathea before heading to Glastonbury to explore claims that he buried the Grail beneath the Tor. Experts assess the tale’s historical credibility, while research in Oxford reveals that the Grail link emerged later in literature and became tied to King Arthur. In Wales, Alice uncovers related myths of sacred vessels, then follows the trail through London and the Knights Templar to Scotland’s Rosslyn Chapel, where a mysterious wooden bowl was found. Ultimately Alice finds peace among Templar ruins, revealing that the Grail’s true power may lie in personal discovery…not physical proof.

The Proof is Out There S5

21 February

Saturdays 19:25

Host and veteran journalist Tony Harris is once again on a quest for answers, calling out the hoaxes, and highlighting the most credible evidence. Did ocean scientists discover an unknown life form? Was a UFO tracking an American fighter plane? Do the chemicals found on two fishermen’s clothes prove they were abducted by aliens? These are just a taste of the compelling questions this season seeks to answer through expert analysis of archival visuals.

 

The Curse Of Oak Island S13

27 February

Fridays 20:15

The #1 US Hit returns. Is it pirate treasure, a Viking hoard, or a lost biblical relic? No one knows, and anyone who has tried to find out has been met with dangerous setbacks, including booby traps! The Lagina brothers deploy technology like never before in this season, but there's an even bigger obstacle: A prophecy predicts seven people will die before the treasure is found. The death toll so far is six. Tune in for a double billed first episode, the normal duration show will air from 6 March.

Paramount Sweetens Offer For Warner Bros. Discovery

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Paramount has enhanced its offer for Warner Bros Discovery, not formally upping its $30-a-share cash bid but injecting a new $0.25-per-share so-called “ticking fee” payable to WBD shareholders for each quarter its transaction has not closed beyond December 31, 2026.

It said the move comes to about $650 million in cash value each quarter and underscores “Paramount’s confidence in the speed and certainty of regulatory approval for its transaction.” It also agreed to fund a $2.8 billion termination fee that would be payable to Netflix and ticked off a series of concessions around WBD’s debt financing costs and obligations.

Warner Bros Discovery has a deal to sell its studios and streaming assets to Netflix and advised shareholders several times to reject a hostile takeover offer from David Ellison‘s company, which is looking to acquire all of WBD. There’s a full-out PR battle raging as executives of all three court content creators, unions, Warner shareholders, politicians and regulators on both sides of the Atlantic. Netflix late last month upgraded its offer of $27.75 a share from cash-and-stock to all cash.

WBD has yet to set a date for a special meeting in April where shareholders will vote on the Netflix transaction. It’s been urging them to cast a yes vote. Paramount is aggressively lobbying them to vote no and, meanwhile, to tender their WBD shares to Paramount. The Ellisons have said they are planning to run an alternate slate of directors for election at WBD’s annual meeting, which comes later.

Both deals are expected to have long lead times to close. Netflix is not buying the cable assets and its agreement would see WBD spin off linear television into a separate public company called Discovery Global.

Paramount is ramping up the pressure with its announcement today. The $2.8 billion termination fee that would be due to Netflix if WBD switches sides has, for instance, has been an objection raised by the Warner board, which confirmed receipt of the amended offer. It will “carefully review and consider” it and issue a recommendation. Meanwhile, the board stressed that it still backs the Netflix deal and advised stockholders not to take any action on Paramount’s latest unsolicited offer.

Paramount’s other new commitments include eliminating WBD’s potential $1.5 billion financing cost by fully backstopping an exchange offer that relieves WBD of its contractual bondholder obligations. Par said it will fully reimburse WBD’s shareholders for the $1.5 billion fee without reducing a separate $5.8 billion termination fee. That’s the amount Paramount (and Netflix) have agreed to pay WBD if an acquisition fails to close.

Also, if WBD’s financing sources will not extend the maturity of WBD’s existing $15 billion bridge loan, Paramount said its own debt financing sources “are fully prepared to do so, with any incremental costs covered by Paramount. Alternatively, Paramount will permit WBD to structure permanent financing in any way it chooses so long as the debt is redeemable at a commercially reasonable cost.”

Paramount said it will provide WBD flexibility between signing and closing, including by matching any comparable Netflix interim operating covenants. It said it “is open to discussing with the WBD Board of Directors contractual solutions to account for the possibility of continuing deteriorating financial performance beyond what WBD is currently projecting for its linear network business.”

Paramount’s amended offer is now fully financed by an increased $43.6 billion of equity commitments from the Ellison family and RedBird Capital Partners and $54 billion of debt commitments from Bank of America, Citigroup and Apollo.

Financing includes “an irrevocable personal guarantee” from Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison of $43.3 billion covering the equity financing as well any damages claims against Paramount.

“While we have tried to be as constructive as possible in formulating these solutions, several of these items would benefit from collaborative discussion to finalize. If granted a short window of engagement, we will work with you to refine these solutions to ensure they address any and all of your concerns,” David Ellison wrote in a letter to the WBD board released publicly and in an SEC filing today.

Paramount claims the WBD board has consistently refused to engage with it over the course of multiple offers, which Warner has denied.

A Look Into The Life Of Former Child Star Tara Tara Correa-McMullen

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Tara Correa-McMullen was born on May 24, 1989, in Westminster in Windham County, Vermont, to Thomas Raymond McMullen and Mary Devra Correa née Brown.

While growing up, Correa-McMullen became interested in acting, dance, and music. When she was just 4 years old, she showcased a penchant for playing the piano.

Ten years later, Tara was cast in a recurring small-screen role on Judging Amy. In the beloved series, which starred Amy Brenneman, Tara portrayed Maritaz Cruz, a former gang member who over a series of episodes season is encouraged by Amy to change her ways. But sadly, by the season's close, Cruz is killed in prison.

In real life, on October 21, 2005, Correa-McMullen was with her friends in front of an apartment complex in Inglewood, CA when she was shot and killed.

Law enforcement described her as the innocent victim of a gang-related shooting.

In the End

Like too many former child stars, before, during, or after her lifetime, Tara Correa-McMullen met a tragic end, leaving this world much too soon, and long before her time.

Globale Fenomeen Landman Praat Afrikaans Op kykNET

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kykNET het ’n groot slag vir Afrikaanse kykers geslaan deur die oorklankingsregte van dié trefferreeks aan te koop wat gehore oraloor boei met naelbyt-intriges in die onstuimige wêreld van die oliebedryf in Texas.

“Ons is baie opgewonde om te sien hoe kykers op hierdie reeks gaan reageer – dit sluit diegene in vir wie Landman heeltemal nuut is, en ook diegene wat dalk al die reeks in Engels op M-Net gekyk het, en dit nou in hul moedertaal wil ervaar. Landman is een van die laaste jare se groot TV-hoogtepunte, en ons glo die storiewêreld wat Taylor Sheridan geskep het, sal vir heelwat van kykNET se kykers aangrypend wees – en vermaaklik!” sê Waldimar Pelser, M-Net direkteur van Premium-kanale. “Wees egter gewaarsku: dit raak soms nogal warm daar in Texas!”

Die reeks is deur Taylor Sheridan geskep wat ook vir trefferreekse soos Yellowstone, 1883 en 1923 verantwoordelik was. Landman speel in die weste van die Amerikaanse deelstaat Texas af en vertel die verwikkelde verhaal van ’n groep mense – van die miljardêrs tot die olieveldwerkers – wie se lewe om olie draai.

Billy Bob Thornton is te sien as die landman Tommy Norris. In Afrikaans is ’n landman iemand wat met die bewerking van plaasgrond te doen het. In hierdie geval is dit iemand wat die uiters belangrike skakel tussen oliemaatskappye en grondeienaars is; die een wat moet onderhandel oor regte vir ontginning en ontwikkeling terwyl die wetlike voorskrifte, wat ’n span hoogsbetaalde regsgeleerdes natuurlik ten gunste van hul werkgewers probeer plooi, ook in ag geneem moet word.

Landman draai egter nie net om grondbesitters en ryk oliebase nie. Die weste van Texas grens aan Meksiko, wat beteken dat dié gebied ook deur dwelmkartels as ’n verspreidingsroete gebruik word.

Wie is wie?

• Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton met die stem van De Waal Stemmet) is ’n geharde landman wat vir M-Tex Oil werk en al hulle onderhandelinge behartig. Om almal, van die oliebase tot die dwelmhandelaars, gelukkig te hou, is egter geen maklike taak nie.

• Angela (Ali Larter met die stem van Natasja Jacobs) is Tommy se eksvrou en die ma van sy twee kinders, Cooper en Ainsley.

• Cooper (Jacob Lofland met die stem van Rowlen von Gericke) het geologie studeer, maar het sy studies gestaak en werk nou vir M-Tex as ’n handlanger op die olievelde.

• Ainsley (Michelle Randolph met die stem van Anré Buguegnon) is ’n hoërskoolleerder.

• Rebecca Falcone (Kayla Wallace met die stem van Sue Pyler) is ’n regsgeleerde wat werk vir M-Tex Oil doen.

• Dale Bradley (James Jordan met die stem van Antowan Nöthling) is ’n petroleum-ingenieur en ’n goeie vriend van Tommy.

• Monty Miller (Jon Hamm met die stem van Charl van Heyningen) is die eienaar van M-Tex Oil en het ’n jarelange professionele en persoonlike verhouding met Tommy.

• Cami Miller (Demi Moore met die stem van Renske Jacobs) is Monty se vrou.

• Nathan (Colm Feore met die stem van Jakkie Groenewald) is ’n prokureur en administrateur by M-Tex Oil.

• Ariana Medina (Paulina Chavez met die stem van Claudia Jones) is ’n jong weduwee wie se man in ’n ongeluk op een van M-Tex Oil se olievelde dood is.

’n Gedugte span vertalers, onder meer Morné Coetzer, Janine Opperman en Francois le Roux, het hulle uitstekend van hul uitdagende taak gekwyt en dit reggekry om die atmosfeer van hierdie briljante reeks in Afrikaans vas te vang. Die oorklankingsregisseurs is Rina Nienaber en De Waal Stemmet.

Verfilming van Landman het Februarie 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas, begin. Die eerste twee episodes is op 17 November 2024 uitgesaai en was dadelik ’n internasionale treffer. Die eerste seisoen, wat uit tien episodes bestaan, se laaste episode is op 12 Januarie 2025 uitgesaai. Die tweede seisoen het onlangs begin, en die kontrak vir die maak van die derde seisoen is in Desember 2025 geteken.

kykNET se Afrikaanse weergawe is een van die min oorklankings van die reeks wat wêreldwyd beskikbaar is.

Landman begin op Sondag 22 Februarie om 21:00 op kykNET (DStv-kanaal 144) en sal ook op DStv Stream en Catch Up beskikbaar wees. Die reeks het ’n ouderdomsbeperking van 16.

Lost Footage Of Aaliyah's Role In The Matrix (RIP)

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CNBC To Launch German Language News Channel

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Versant-owned US business news network CNBC is joining forces with C-DACH Business News Holding to launch a German-language business and financial news channel.

CNBC DACH will launch in early 2027 as a multiplatform service across TV, digital platforms, social media, live events and print, including a dedicated TV channel with localised feeds and original reporting. It will cover Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Editorial operations for CNBC DACH will be based in Frankfurt, Zurich and Vienna, with additional bureaux in Berlin and Munich.

The shareholders of the holding company will be Austrian entrepreneur, investor and founder Alexander Schütz; entrepreneur, investor, majority shareholder and executive chair of MET Group Benjamin Lakatos; and media entrepreneur Rusmir Nefic.

Craig Bengtson, president of CNBC International, said: “CNBC DACH is designed to empower business leaders, investors and decision makers across German-speaking markets with the insights they need to make informed decisions and support them as they navigate market developments and investment opportunities.

“By extending CNBC’s global reporting into a dedicated German-language service, we’re providing audiences in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with business news, trusted insights and analysis that connects regional developments with global markets.”

Paramount Is Exploring Potential Partnerships In Reviving MTV

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The Paramount CEO is keen to revive the once-iconic brand, and is talking to major companies and music industry figures about strategic partnerships, including an economic stake in MTV, per Bloomberg. Such a strategic deal could give it expanded access to music rights or artists.

When MTV launched 45 years ago, it debuted with a music video of The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

It was a statement about the state of the music business, with MTV carving out a niche as the home for music on TV sets, and helping to create the music video format, which dominated its lineup (alongside other music-related programming) for the next few decades.

Now, of course, music videos are as popular than ever, but their home is YouTube (and to a lesser extent, TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music), while MTV shut down MTV News, and has more recently been a repository for aging reality TV shows like Jersey Shore, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Catfish and Ridiculousness.

With Paramount canceling Ridiculousness last year, the brand has been preparing for a wholesale reboot, and now we have a sense of what Ellison has in mind: Bringing back the music.

The music, of course, never left entirely. The MTV Video Music Awards remain one of the few cultural touchpoints for the music industry, and attracts the biggest stars in the business (even if the viewership has largely migrated to its simulcast on CBS, and Paramount+ on streaming).

But other than that, the music has mostly been silenced, and that appears poised to change. That is a big reason why, around New Year’s Eve, posts went viral on Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn about MTV shutting down. It wasn’t (the company was just shutting down a few ancillary music-only channels in the U.K.), but the reaction from people underscored what everyone seems to realize: The brand’s best days were in its past.

Ellison seems to be heeding the call by Tom Freston, the legendary media executive who helped build MTV to be the powerhouse that it was at its peak.

Freston told The Hollywood Reporter in November that he had dinner with Ellison and some of his senior executives to discuss the brand.

“I had a meeting with David and Jeff Shell and a couple people,” Freston recalled. “They had a lovely dinner — me and [former colleagues] Judy McGrath and Doug Herzog and Jason Hirschhorn just before they made the purchase. It was due diligence on their part. They were like, ‘You guys were there in the golden age. We don’t know what’s happened?’ I said, ‘First of all, when they sawed the ‘music television’ off the bottom of the logo, they lost me.’ But all the music people had left and MTV didn’t have any real value as a music brand. I don’t know if you can resurrect it, but I think you might be able to.”

MTV the cable channel may or may not survive the entertainment business’ perilous transition to streaming, but MTV the brand has a shot.

“One, they have a huge library of shows. The Unpluggeds and some of the reality shows were pretty good,” Freston added. “They also have a huge library of music videos and MTV News — everything that happened from 1980 on. So, why couldn’t you do some kind of digital curation thing? Anyway, I’m really happy to see Ellison there. I mean, if someone was going to buy Paramount, the Ellisons got my vote.”

And bringing a music publisher like Warner Music Group or Universal into the fold, or perhaps even a streaming player like Spotify or Amazon Music, could help resurrect a cable brand that had seemingly been left for dead.

Executives at NBCUniversal frame Bravo as a brand that represents a particular type of lowbrow-highbrow reality TV, and that even if the channel vanished, the brand could live on. Paramount executives clearly think they can pull those same levers at the former MTV Networks cable channels.

But the exact strategy, and what partners might want to buy in, will determine that trajectory.

Warner Bros. Discovery Rejects Paramount's Latest Bid For The Company

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The WBD board branded Paramount’s hostile takeover offer as "inadequate" and risky.

Warner Bros rejected Paramount’s latest takeover bid on Wednesday, telling shareholders to stick with a rival offer from Netflix.

Warner’s leadership has repeatedly rebuffed Skydance-owned Paramount’s overtures — urging shareholders just weeks ago to back its the sale of its streaming and studio business to Netflix for $72bn (€61.62bn).

Paramount, meanwhile, has sweetened its $77.9bn (€66.67bn) offer for the entire company and gone straight to shareholders with a hostile bid.

Warner Bros Discovery said on Wednesday that its board determined Paramount’s offer is not in the best interests of the company or its shareholders.

“Paramount’s offer continues to provide insufficient value, including terms such as an extraordinary amount of debt financing that create risks to close and lack of protections for our shareholders if a transaction is not completed," Warner Bros Discovery chair Samuel Di Piazza Jr. said in a statement.

"Our binding agreement with Netflix will offer superior value at greater levels of certainty, without the significant risks and costs Paramount’s offer would impose on our shareholders.”

Paramount did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Late last month, Paramount announced an “irrevocable personal guarantee” from Oracle founder Larry Ellison — father of Paramount CEO David Ellison — to back $40.4bn (€34.58bn) in equity financing for the company’s offer.

Paramount also increased its promised payout to shareholders to $5.8bn (€4.96bn) if the deal is blocked by regulators, matching what Netflix already put on the table.

In a letter to shareholders, Warner expressed concerns about a potential deal with Paramount. It said it essentially considers the offer a leveraged buyout, which includes a lot of debt, and that it could take 12 to 18 months to close a deal.

The battle for Warner and the value of each offer grows complicated because Netflix and Paramount want different things. Netflix’s proposed acquisition includes only Warner’s studio and streaming business, including its legacy TV and movie production arms and platforms like HBO Max. But Paramount wants the entire company — which, beyond studio and streaming, includes networks like CNN and Discovery.

If Netflix is successful, Warner’s news and cable operations would be spun off into their own company, under a previously-announced separation.

A merger with either company will attract tremendous antitrust scrutiny. Due to its size and potential impact, it will almost certainly trigger a review by the US Justice Department, which could sue to block the transaction or request changes. Other countries and regulators overseas may also challenge the merger.

Starz Placed $25 Billion Bid For All Of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Cable Networks Including Cartoon Network And TLC

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Starz put in a $25 billion bid for all of Warner Bros. Discovery’s cable networks and 20% of its studio and streaming businesses last month, TheWrap has learned, acting as a dark horse contender for an asset most companies bidding on the entertainment company were not interested in.

Warner Bros. Discovery revealed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that a previously undisclosed company — labeled “Company C” in the filing — put in the $25 billion all-cash bid on its Nov. 20 deadline. It also proposed a 90-day exclusivity period, which Netflix, Paramount Skydance and Comcast (labeled “Company A” in the filing) did not.

That company was Starz. While the WBD board considered all the bids on Nov. 21, it found that Company C’s bid was “not actionable at that time” and responded to the top three bidders on Nov. 22.

Puck first reported the news.

The filing also revealed more details about Netflix’s and Paramount’s efforts to purchase some or all of WBD, as the companies publicly advocate for their bids to WBD’s shareholders. Netflix and WBD entered into an exclusive arrangement for the streamer’s $82.7 billion bid for the studio and streaming businesses, while Paramount has mounted a $30-a-share hostile takeover bid for the entire company. WBD on Wednesday rejected Paramount’s latest offer.

A Starz spokesperson declined to comment. Starz CEO Jeff Hirsch previously told TheWrap that he wanted his company to be “additive” to networks he believed were too linear-focused in a digital age.

“There’s a lot of networks out there today that are marooned on the linear side and don’t have technical capabilities to do what we’ve done,” he said in May after Starz completed its spin-off from Lionsgate. “We think we can be very additive to content that is stuck on the linear side to give them a digital future.”

Starz reported a $53 million loss in its third quarter, missing Wall Street expectations, and revenue dropped 8% to $320.9 million. It reported a loss of 130,000 U.S. subscribers for a total of 17.5 million, driven mostly by linear subscribers’ cord-cutting. Linear subscribers also dropped by 24o,000 to 5.17 million while it saw a streaming increase of 110,000 U.S. subscribers for a total of 12.3 million.

Still, Hirsch teased the possibility of venturing into the M&A space during its third-quarter call in November, a week before the company reportedly placed its bid for WBD’s cable networks.

“With a potential for increased consolidation across the media landscape, we believe that we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on potential M&A opportunities,” Hirsch said. “Given our track record of profitability converting our business from linear to digital and our industry-leading tech stack, we are positioned to increase our scale as assets that are strategically valuable to Starz become available.”

The company reportedly found its first target last month when it expressed interest in A+E Global Media, the parent company of networks such as Lifetime and the History Channel.

Warner Bros. Discovery Rejects Paramount's $108 Billion Bid For The Company

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Warner Bros. Discovery still isn't interested in Paramount Skydance's offer.

Paramount's latest bid "is inadequate, with significant risks and costs imposed on our shareholders" compared to Netflix's bid, which "represents superior, more certain value for our shareholders," said Samuel Di Piazza, the chair of WBD's board of directors, in a statement to shareholders on Wednesday morning.

In a letter to shareholders, WBD's board recommended that shareholders reject Paramount's all-cash bid of $30 per share in favor of Netflix's cash-and-stock offer. Paramount wants to buy all of WBD, including its cable channels, while Netflix's bid of $27.75 per share is for WBD's studio, HBO, and HBO Max. A key difference between the two bids revolves around the value of WBD's TV networks, such as CNN and TNT, which Netflix isn't interested in buying.

Di Piazza said that Paramount's seventh proposal "once again fails to address key concerns that we have consistently communicated," including about Paramount's financing.

Paramount has said its bid is fully backstopped by Larry Ellison, one of the richest people in the world and father to Paramount CEO David Ellison. The WBD board said in the letter to shareholders that it relies "on an unknown and opaque revocable trust" whose assets or liabilities are subject to change.

Meanwhile, Netflix is paying with cash and stock. Its shares have fallen recently but surged more than 600% from mid-2022 to mid-2025. Netflix has a market cap of over $400 billion.

While Paramount has said that it would have an easier time securing regulatory approval than Netflix, the WBD board says it "does not believe there is a material difference in regulatory risk" between the two proposals.

The Ellisons are close to President Donald Trump. However, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has pitched the president on the deal and seems to have earned some respect. Trump has called Sarandos a "great person," though he added that the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal "could be a problem" on the regulatory front. Still, the president hasn't come out publicly in favor of one side in the deal.

WBD also said its board "repeatedly engaged" with interested parties, including the Ellisons. Paramount had previously said that WBD went quiet late in the bidding process.

Not even Paramount can be surprised by WBD's decision to stick with its Netflix deal.

David Ellison was overheard saying last week that if WBD's leadership were to "accept the offer exactly as it is today, right, then they're admitting breach of fiduciary duty," Business Insider previously reported.

That's because Paramount said its $30-per-share hostile bid was nearly identical to its previous offer to WBD. Public companies are obligated to act in the best interests of shareholders. So if WBD's board had changed its mind, it could have opened itself up to shareholder lawsuits.

WBD had said in a statement after Paramount's hostile bid that it would "carefully review and consider Paramount Skydance's offer" in a way that was "consistent with its fiduciary duties and in consultation with its independent financial and legal advisors."

Now that WBD's board has given Paramount the cold shoulder again, it's Ellison's move.

The aspiring media mogul told CEO David Zaslav that Paramount's latest offer wasn't its "best and final," which suggests that a higher bid could be coming. Just how much appetite Paramount has to escalate the bidding war is the key question.

If no higher bid comes, WBD's investors have until January 8 to back Paramount, though it could extend that deadline. WBD would owe Netflix a $2.8 billion reverse breakup fee if its shareholders chose Paramount.

Read the full letter to shareholders here:

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

As your Board of Directors, we are committed to acting in your best interest. In this spirit, in October, we launched a public review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. This followed three separate proposals from Paramount Skydance ("PSKY"), as well as interest from multiple other parties.

That thorough process, overseen by the Board with the assistance of independent financial and legal advisors, as well as our management team, led to the company entering into a merger agreement with Netflix on December 4, with the substantial benefits to WBD shareholders described below. Having failed to submit the best proposal for you, our shareholders, PSKY launched an offer nearly identical to its most recently rejected proposal.

As a Board, we have now conducted another review and determined that PSKY's tender offer remains inferior to the Netflix merger. The Board continues to unanimously recommend the Netflix merger, and that you reject the PSKY offer and not tender your shares.

Below, and in more detail in our 14D-9 filing, we highlight the many reasons for the Board's determination. None of these reasons will be a surprise to PSKY given our clear, and oft-repeated, feedback on their six prior proposals.

The terms of the Netflix merger are superior. The PSKY offer provides inadequate value and imposes numerous, significant risks and costs on WBD.

The value we have secured for shareholders through the Netflix merger is extraordinary by any measure.

Our agreement with Netflix gives WBD shareholders $23.25 in cash, plus $4.50 in shares of Netflix common stock (based on a collar range of $97.91 - $119.67 in the Netflix stock price at the time of closing), plus the additional value of the shares of Discovery Global and the opportunity to participate in future potential upside following Discovery Global's separation from WBD. The entire Board is confident in our recommendation that Netflix represents the best value-creating path for shareholders.

PSKY has consistently misled WBD shareholders that its proposed transaction has a "full backstop" from the Ellison family. It does not, and never has.

PSKY's most recent proposal includes a $40.65 billion equity commitment, for which there is no Ellison family commitment of any kind. Instead, they propose that you rely on an unknown and opaque revocable trust for the certainty of this crucial deal funding. Despite having been told repeatedly by WBD how important a full and unconditional financing commitment from the Ellison family was — and despite their own ample resources, as well as multiple assurances by PSKY during our strategic review process that such a commitment was forthcoming — the Ellison family has chosen not to backstop the PSKY offer.

And a revocable trust is no replacement for a secured commitment by a controlling stockholder. The assets and liabilities of the trust are not publicly disclosed and are subject to change. As the name indicates, revocable trusts typically have provisions allowing for assets to be moved at any time. And the documents provided by PSKY for this conditional commitment contain gaps, loopholes and limitations that put you, our shareholders, and our company at risk.

Amplifying the concerns about the credibility of the equity commitment being offered by PSKY, the revocable trust and PSKY have agreed that the trust's liability for damages, even in the case of a willful breach, would be capped at 7% of its commitment ($2.8 billion on a $108.4 billion transaction). Of course, the damage to WBD and its stockholders were the trust or PSKY to breach their obligations to close a transaction would likely be many multiples of this amount.

WBD's merger agreement with Netflix is a binding agreement with enforceable commitments, with no need for any equity financing and robust debt commitments. The Netflix merger is fully backed by a public company with a market cap in excess of $400 billion with an investment grade balance sheet. The debt financing for the PSKY bid relies on an unsecure revocable trust commitment as well as the credit worthiness of a $15 billion market cap company with a credit rating at or only a notch above "junk" status from the two leading rating agencies. The financial condition and creditworthiness of PSKY, which, if its proposed transaction were to close, would have a high gross leverage ratio of 6.8x 2026E debt to EBITDA with virtually no current free cash flow generation before synergies, raise substantial risks for its acquisition of WBD. Such debt levels reflect a risky capital structure that is vulnerable to even potentially small changes in the PSKY or WBD business between signing and closing.

Additionally, PSKY contemplates $9 billion in synergies from the mergers of Paramount/Skydance and their offer for WBD. These targets are both ambitious from an operational perspective and would make Hollywood weaker, not stronger.

The Board's review was full, transparent and comprehensive — establishing a level playing field that fostered a rigorous and fair process.

The Board repeatedly engaged with all parties, including extensive engagement with PSKY and its advisors over the course of nearly three months. We held dozens of calls and meetings with its principals and advisors including four in-person meetings and meals between David Zaslav and David and/or Larry Ellison and provided multiple opportunities for PSKY to offer a proposal that was superior to those of the other bidders, which PSKY never did.

After each bid, we informed PSKY of the material deficiencies and offered potential solutions. Despite this feedback, PSKY has never submitted a proposal that is superior to the Netflix merger agreement.

Despite PSKY's media statements to the contrary, the Board does not believe there is a material difference in regulatory risk between the PSKY offer and the Netflix merger.

The Board carefully considered the federal, state, and international regulatory risks for both the Netflix merger and the PSKY offer with its regulatory advisors. The Board believes that each transaction is capable of obtaining the necessary U.S. and foreign regulatory approvals and that any difference between the respective regulatory risk levels is not material. The Board also notes that Netflix has agreed to a record-setting regulatory termination cash fee of $5.8 billion, significantly higher than PSKY's $5 billion break fee.

The PSKY offer is illusory.

The offer can be terminated or amended by PSKY at any time prior to its completion; it is not the same thing as a binding merger agreement. The first paragraph of the offer states it is "subject to the conditions set forth in this offer to purchase (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time)" and continues on the next page, "we reserve the right to amend the Offer in any respect (including amending the Offer Price)". In addition, the offer is not capable of being completed by its current expiration date, due to the need for, among other things, global regulatory approvals, which PSKY indicates may take 12-18 months. Nothing in this structure offers WBD shareholders any deal certainty.

The PSKY offer provides an untenable degree of risk and potential downside for WBD shareholders.

There will be additional costs associated with PSKY's offer that could impact shareholders.

When considering the PSKY offer at this juncture, it is important to note that its acceptance could incur significant additional costs to shareholders — all of which PSKY has ignored in their communications. WBD would have to pay Netflix a $2.8 billion termination fee, which PSKY has not offered to reimburse. In addition, WBD would incur approximately $1.5 billion in financing costs if we do not complete our planned debt exchange as agreed to with certain of our debtholders, which would not be permitted by the PSKY offer. This additional $4.3 billion in potential costs represents approximately $1.66 per share to be borne by WBD shareholders if the offer does not close.

We look forward to moving ahead with our combination with Netflix and delivering the compelling and certain value it will create for shareholders. We urge you to carefully read the 14D-9 filed with the SEC this morning and available on our website, which more fully details the strategic review process and the Board's reasons for its recommendation to you.

Sincerely,

The Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors

How Netflix's Potential Acquisition Of Warner Bros. Discovery Affects M-Net, DStv And Showmax?

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Not long ago, it was reported that Netflix won the bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery valuing the deal at $72 billion. This deal would DC Entertainment/Studios, Cartoon Network Studios, HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures/Television and New Line Cinema.

Below is a how this deal is bad news for MultiChoice

M-Net and Showmax

MultiChoice had been licensing Game Of Thrones and Penguins from HBO to M-Net and Showmax. In the event of an acquisition, Netflix had expressed interest to continue these partnerships with local broadcasters but it may not be easy.

If MultiChoice continues to license content from Warner Bros. they could as well look to increase the rates. This is something MultiChoice's new owners Canal+ may not find amusing as they've begun cost cutting due to DStv's shrinking consumer base.

Besides that, the previous owners at MultiChoice had been anti-Netflix for sometime so the general audience had sort of painted a certain image of the company. While free-to-air broadcasters such as SABC and eMedia Investments had been licensing from the streamer.

MultiChoice put up a wall between them and Netflix again this was the previous owners regime as Canal+ does view them as partners. They do have an agreement to bundle their services in francophone markets alongside a content deal through K+.

The reality is while Warner Bros. continues to license content to M-Net and Showmax, Netflix will likely make further productions exclusive to their services. If they do continue licensing, I doubt MultiChoice would want their scraps.

Netflix is already available in the market which further complicates things as M-Net and Showmax are meant to go hand in hand with their content. But then again, MultiChoice is part of StudioCanal's parent company which gives them leverage.

Netflix may offer Stranger Things, Squid Games and Wednesday but with Canal+'s MultiChoice there's Paris Has Fallen, Spinners and iShaka iLembe.

DStv

For this part, I feel there's a lot of exaggeration as Netflix is not acquiring Discovery, TLC or the linear Cartoon Network as that is being spun off into a separate company. Of course, Netflix's bid to be frank sort of dilutes the value of Cartoon Network.

Cartoon Network under Discovery Global will be leaning more toward third party programming such as Lego Ninjago, Dragonball Super and Totally Spies!. While what made Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney "The Big 3" like Regular Show and Tiny Toons Looniversity goes to Netflix.

It's likely that they will be a licensing agreement for these shows but they'll most definitely be like DreamWorks Channel - reruns. Under a separate company, they're not going to prioritise on these Netflix originals.

If it is deemed expensive these shows could as well get phased out and again that just dilutes Cartoon Network who had been reliant on these IPs.

Turning over the torch to Discovery Global, this is the company that MultiChoice is involved in a carriage dispute with over the future of its 12 channels. These include Discovery Channel, HGTV, TLC and as mentioned the linear Cartoon Network.

Of course, the matter of concern here to me is that as mentioned with Cartoon Network while the Netflix deal makes the company more leaner. There's still another 20 billion worth of debt they need to clean out.

Expecting for content to be reduced, potential sales or closures to operations or channels and lastly massive layoffs particularly for international feeds.

All of this might as well unfold while these channels are no longer on DStv but then again it's likely that MultiChoice could opt to keep a few channels. My guess would be Discovery Channel, TLC, Cartoon Network, Real Time, Cartoonito, ID and CNN.

‘HBO, DC, Cartoon Network’: 10 Companies That Netflix Will Now Own After The Warner Bros Buyout

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Following Netflix’s agreement to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s TV and film studios and streaming division in a deal valued at roughly $72 billion, the streaming giant will take control of some of the most influential brands in global entertainment. Based on the assets included in the sale, here are 10 major companies and brands Netflix will now own.

1. HBO

The deal includes Warner Bros Discovery's streaming and premium-TV business, giving Netflix full ownership of HBO, one of the strongest content brands in the world, known for Game of Thrones, Succession, The Last of Us and more.

2. HBO Max / Max

Netflix will also acquire the HBO Max (rebranded as Max) streaming service, a direct competitor. This dramatically increases Netflix’s control over prestige television and reshapes the streaming landscape.

3. Warner Bros Television

The acquisition includes Warner Bros’ television production unit, one of the industry’s largest suppliers of scripted and unscripted programming, producing shows for networks globally.

4. Warner Bros Pictures

Netflix gains control of Warner Bros Pictures, the centerpiece film studio behind franchises such as Harry Potter, DC Films, Mad Max and Fantastic Beasts.

5. DC Entertainment / DC Studios

The DC superhero universe featuring Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Joker and more, falls under Netflix’s ownership as part of the studios division.

6. New Line Cinema

The iconic studio behind The Lord of the Rings, The Conjuring and IT will become part of Netflix’s content empire through the Warner Bros acquisition.

7. Cartoon Network Studios

The animation division producing global hits like Ben 10, Adventure Time and The Powerpuff Girls will be owned by Netflix, expanding its youth and animation catalogue.

8. Adult Swim

Known for Rick and Morty, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and cult animation, Adult Swim also moves under Netflix as part of the studios and TV assets it is buying.

9. Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

TCM’s extensive classic-films library and broadcast brand will fall under Netflix's control, giving it unmatched catalogue depth.

10. Vox Media Partnership Assets

Warner Bros Discovery maintains multiple joint ventures, including content partnerships with Vox Media (such as digital news/documentary collaborations). These partnership rights transfer to Netflix as part of the studio and streaming business purchase.

The article was originally published by Wionews

Netflix Wins the Warner Bros. Discovery Bidding War, Enters Exclusive Deal Talks

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Warner Bros. Discovery is moving forward with exclusive deal talks with Netflix, TheWrap has learned.

WBD has selected Netflix after the streaming giant offered $30 a share for the studio and streaming assets, according to two people familiar with the deal talks. The deal also includes a $5 billion break-up fee to match the terms that Paramount added with its bid.

While its unclear what the makeup of the new bid looks like, the prior bid was a mix of mostly cash and stock.

Netflix securing a win over rival suitors Paramount and Comcast represents a stunning turnaround from just two months ago, when co-CEO Greg Peters shaded big media mergers as not having an “amazing track record,” and Paramount buying WBD seemed like a foregone conclusion. Fast forward to today, and Netflix has won a furious M&A bake-off after three rounds of bids.

Representatives for Netflix and WBD weren’t immediately available for comment.

These exclusive talks clear the road for Netflix to acquire the Warner Bros. studios, HBO Max and a treasure trove of IP assets like “Harry Potter” and the DC Universe. Netflix, which once aspired to be like HBO when first embarking on original content, is on a course to become its next owner. Obtaining such assets could dramatically reshape the entertainment landscape and give Netflix even more power over Hollywood — concerns the streamer will have to assuage.

Regulatory hurdles

The willingness to include the unusually large breakup fee was likely critical with questions arising on how Netflix will get a deal with Warner Bros. through regulatory approval. It would face stiff antitrust scrutiny and opposition from the U.S. Department of Justice, New York Post’s Charles Gasparino reported on Tuesday.

A representative for the Department Justice declined to comment on the report.

In a Nov. 13 letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson and Department of Justice antitrust division assistant attorney general Gail Slater, Republican Rep. Darrell Issa warned that a Netflix bid would raise antitrust concerns that could harm consumers and Hollywood alike. He noted that consolidation between the two companies would “diminish incentives to produce new content and major theatrical releases,” which could “undermine opportunities for the full range of industry professionals both in front of and behind the camera.”

California Attorney General Robert Bonta has previously voiced his opposition to any deals involving WBD. “Further consolidation in markets that are central to American economic life — whether in the financial, airline, grocery or broadcasting and entertainment markets — does not serve the American economy, consumers or competition well,” his office told TheWrap last month in response to Paramount’s initial offer.

“We are committed to protecting consumers and California’s economy from consolidation we find unlawful,” the spokesperson added.

The process of completing the deal could distract the company from executing its core business. There’s also the X factor of Netflix jumping into the deep end of the theatrical business, a part of the entertainment world it has kept its distance from. Netflix shares fell 5% on Wednesday when investors realized the prospect of a deal happening was very real.

Would Paramount Be A Good Suitor For Warner Bros. Discovery Global?

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Paramount is planning to several linear channels across the world by the end of 2025. This includes Nickelodeon's channels in New Zealand and Brazil, BET in France and MTV's music channels across Europe.

Amidst this, Paramount is currently in pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery which distributes brands like Discovery Channel, HGTV, Cartoon Network and CNN. Prior to this bid, Warner Bros. Discovery was exploring potential split with most of their cable networks forming part of Discovery Global.

If we analyze most of the channels Paramount is looking to shutter across the world such as BET in France and Nickelodeon in Brazil. You would discover that most of the hits target regional or localised brands which does lead us to wonder what is to become of Discovery Global.

Discovery Global offers a lot of cable networks compared to Paramount the ones which have seen success internationally include Cartoonito, Boing and DMAX. These would expand to include regional networks like Discovery Family, Real Time and TNT.

In the event where Paramount bid is probably deemed successful whose to guarantee that these networks won't walk out the door. Paramount is pivoting toward streaming and wanting to offer content with global appeal.

If you look at the state of Paramount's cable networks their operations would be reduced to just MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Nicktoons by next year. As BET, MTV Base and various other channels get their affairs in order and bid farewell.

There's a chance Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon could be placed under the same umbrella although Paramount intends to keep certain aspects of Warner Bros. Discovery. Reductions is the one thing that usually comes out of a merger or acquisition.

Paramount intends to merge HBO Max with Paramount+ and that wouldn't necessarily equal more content. HBO Max in such a transaction could become what Hulu is on Disney+ globally as opposed to a juggernaut like Netflix.

Paramount very much like Warner can see the writing on the wall when it comes to dominance and the reality is that not everyone can be a shark under water. Some companies to resort to partnerships or even mergers to become a bigger fish in the ocean.

Usually in merger and acquisitions, the acquiring company puts their needs above all else. In the first round, it would be Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., from Paramount going up against Cartoon Network and Cartoonito from Warner Bros. Discovery.

Warner Bros. Discovery had been reliant on third party content for these cable networks and Paramount may not like that strategy. Aside from that, Cartoon Network makes 15%-20% of its revenue from 2014 which has affected the channel's overall performance.

Teen Titans GO! is currently the only primetime show on the network while other productions like Tiny Toons Looniversity and We Baby Bears wrap productions. Then there's Batwheels on Cartoonito which has been on limbo following its third season renewal.

Paramount in its attempts at scaling back on costs could opt to merge Cartoon Network's operations with that of Nickelodeon or Nicktoons while Cartoonito is phased out in favour of Nick Jr.

The second round would comprise of Travel Channel, Discovery Family, Real Time and TNT.

As seen already, Paramount is scaling back on its international operations with the closures of CBS Reality, CBS Justice, MTV Base and BET. Whose to say that the same fate won't await these brands.

Discovery Channel and TLC have more reruns and part of their primetime shows are likely reruns from HGTV and Food Network. It kind of makes Discovery Family and Real Time obsolete if the company doesn't have much content for their core brands.

Travel Channel is very similar to BET and CBS Reality when it comes to scale with the channel that had also seen a slow decline in carriage. Under Paramount, this endeavours would be accelerated even further.

Comcast Looking To Spinoff And Merge It's NBCUniversal's Division With Warner Bros. Discovery

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The future of Warner Bros. Discovery is hanging in the balance, with the entertainment company’s board of directors now weighing second round bids for the company from Comcast, Paramount and Netflix.

The offers were due Monday, and all three companies submitted their revised plans.

While the specific cash amounts were not immediately clear (also complicated by the fact that only Paramount is pursuing the whole company), the second round bids included some notable tweaks. Netflix, for example, is now a mostly cash bid, after initially leaning on its stock as a key part of the deal.

And Paramount is offering all-cash, having secured debt financing from the private equity giant Apollo, as well as unknown Middle East sovereign wealth funds. The nature of the debt financing means that Ellison and Redbird will retain total control of Paramount if they are successful in their bid.

Comcast, meanwhile, is said to have proposed a deal that would see it spin out NBCUniversal into WBD in what would likely be a stock-heavy transaction.

Barring any surprise late bidders or a call by the WBD board to continue with their split, one of the three media giants is likely to emerge as the buyer of assets that include the venerable Warner Bros. film and TV studios, HBO and HBO Max, and IP that includes DC Comics, Friends, and Harry Potter.

So what happens next? WBD’s board will need to weigh the new offers, and either request a third round of bids if they feel they can extract more compelling offers, or pick a winner and start working on a binding agreement.

To split or not to split: This is in many ways the fundamental question about the future of WBD. The company was planning to split itself in two: A streaming and studio business, and a linear TV business. Paramount wants the whole thing, while Comcast and Netflix want to stay away from linear. Does the company sell itself whole (likely to Paramount) or split itself, either in a sale or a continuation of its previous process?

Regulatory hell: The Trump administration has made it clear that David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison would have an easier regulatory path, fresh off their deal for Paramount. At the same time, anonymous administration sources have made it clear to friendly voices like Fox Business Network and the New York Post’s Charlie Gasparino that Netflix and Comcast would face scrutiny. How tough will the government be? And will it dissuade the WBD board from cutting a deal with anyone that doesn’t have the last name Ellison?

Film’s future: Netflix is not in the theatrical film business, really. NBCUniversal and Paramount are. But if the WBD studios are sold, what happens to its film studio, which has had a breakout year under the leadership of Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy? Netflix has reportedly promised continues theatrical releases, but does that mean the same sort of wide release WB has done? Or a Netflix-ified version? Would NBCU or Paramount really just double their film output? Or is the future of WB more like 20th Century Fox, as a niche with a few releases under the larger umbrella?

Sports superpower: WBD may have lost its NBA rights, but its portfolio still includes prime MLB and NHL deals, one half of the March Madness college basketball tourney (Paramount has the rest) and other rights that include the French Open and college football. When added to the portfolios of Paramount or NBCU, it could make for a compelling sports proposition, a sports media giant that would rival only ESPN in scale. But with those rights set to travel with the linear TV business, their future remains uncertain.

What about Zas? WBD CEO David Zaslav has made no secret of his love of the game. He hosts star-studded dinners at his Beverly Hills mansion (once known as Woodland, the estate of mogul Robert Evans), he has sought out meetings and held court at his U.S. Open suite with A-listers and tycoons. Would he really hang up his power suit (or power vest?) that easily? Paramount has reportedly offered him a major role, so it stands to reason that others may make similar offers as further enticement for a deal.

Mystery bidder: We know that Paramount, Comcast and Netflix have submitted bids, but that doesn’t preclude a surprise bidder entering the fray. Perhaps, say, a private equity firm backed by Middle Eastern money? Or a Japanese entertainment conglomerate with an American partner? Don’t count out any surprises.

BBC Studios Africa Reveals New Format For BBC Lifestyle, Hidden Gems: South Africa

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BBC Lifestyle is set to unveil Hidden Gems: South Africa, a fresh and immersive travel series that takes viewers off the beaten path to discover South Africa’s most luxurious and lesser-known escapes. Launching in 2026, the six-part series blends influencer-led storytelling with audience participation to celebrate the country’s rich natural beauty.

Hidden Gems: South Africa follows five South African travel influencers as they explore and showcase two of South Africa’s greatest hidden gems per episode, each accompanied by a guest. In each episode, the influencer receives an envelope revealing the surprise gems which they must visit, review, and showcase. BBC Lifestyle viewers will vote for their favourite hidden gem from the series and be in with the chance of winning exciting prizes. The most compelling review and favourite gem, voted for by the audience, will be revealed in the final episode (Episode Six) with the winning influencer receiving a special prize.

The series sees the influencers traveling across South Africa, offering a curated look at destinations that combine luxury with authenticity. Each episode is shaped by a distinct theme, celebrating the diverse beauty and character of South Africa’s landscapes.

The new series is produced by PD Production, the producers behind BBC Lifestyle’s popular shows – Listing Jozi, Listing Cape Town, Listing Mauritius and Listing Coastal South Africa which is currently airing on BBC Lifestyle (DStv channel 174) every Wednesday at 8pm with repeats Thursdays at 5pm.

Pierre Cloete, Vice President for Africa at BBC Studios, commented: “We’re thrilled to bring Hidden Gems: South Africa to BBC Lifestyle in 2026. This new format celebrates the diversity and richness of South Africa’s hidden destinations and showcases authentic local stories and personalities that will resonate with audiences across the continent. For the first time, BBC Lifestyle viewers will be invited to vote for their favourite gem, adding an exciting interactive element to the series.” 

Nico Nel and Trevor Kaplan producers from PD Production said: “With Hidden Gems: South Africa, we wanted to go beyond the usual travel show format. By empowering local influencers to spotlight South Africa’s hidden gems, we’re creating a series for BBC Lifestyle that’s both visually stunning and unique. We have just started filming and can’t wait for viewers to see the magic that’s been captured”

Hidden Gems: South Africa is proudly sponsored by LekkeSlaap, South Africa’s leading accommodation app.

Gerriline Fouché, LekkeSlaap's Chief Marketing Officer said “Hidden Gems: South Africa beautifully captures what we love most about local travel: discovering special places and the passionate people behind them. It’s a privilege for LekkeSlaap to help shine a light on these unique stays across the country.”