United States – Netflix has confirmed that it has declined to raise its offer for Warner Bros., concluding months of speculation and competitive bids in the media sector.
In December 2025, Netflix signed a definitive agreement to acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO, and HBO Max, in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $82.7 billion.
“We believe that we would have been strong stewards of Warner Bros.’ iconic brands, and that our deal would have grown the entertainment industry while preserving and creating more production jobs in the United States,” Netflix said in an announcement.
The company added, “This transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price.”
Shortly after Netflix’s agreement, Paramount launched a hostile all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery at $30 per share, valuing the company at $108.4 billion.
Despite the higher offer, Warner Bros.’ board reportedly expressed concerns about financing and regulatory risk and indicated it would likely recommend Netflix’s deal as the more certain and strategically aligned transaction.
Netflix further added, “Our business is healthy, strong and growing organically, powered by our slate and best-in-class streaming service. We will continue to do what we’ve done for more than 20 years as a public company: delight our members, profitably grow our business, and drive long-term shareholder value.”
The decision marks a key moment in the ongoing consolidation of the entertainment industry, as Netflix prioritises strategic fit and long-term value over headline price in a highly competitive streaming market.
