Warner Bros. Becomes the Piggy in the Middle as Netflix and Paramount Battle for Ownership

The fight over Warner Bros. started out as a shock announcement that Netflix was purchasing the company, but it quickly shifted to what has become arguably one of the potentially most dramatic corporate battles in entertainment history. Initially poised to be a straightforward acquisition, the sale has turned into a full-blown bidding war between two very different contenders – the industry-leading streaming powerhouse, Netflix, and the audacious, “old-school” challenger, Paramount.

Now, this isn’t just any old boring corporate takeover. In fact, the outcome matters to shareholders as well as the future of Hollywood and the global media landscape too. Big brands, beloved franchises and major news networks are all in play here, and the twisty path this takeover has taken shows just how high the stakes are for the future of the industry (and competition within the industry) as well as for consumers.

Netflix, The Streaming Giant’s Big Bet

At the centre of the disput is Netflix, which in early December 2025 agreed terms to buy Warner Bros .’ studio and streaming assets in a deal valued at roughly US$82.7 billion, according to Reuters.

Now, under that arrangement, Netflix would acquire the core film and television studios along with HBO and HBO Max, bringing one of Hollywood’s most valuable content libraries under the same roof as Netflix’s vast global subscriber base. A pretty monumental move in the world of modern film, I’d say.

For Netflix, this deal represents a very strategic leap. It would dramatically expand its catalogue of IP, including iconic franchises in both film and TV, while bolstering its production capacity and competitive stance against rivals like Disney and Amazon. Indeed, this could potentially be the move thaat allows Netflix to really increase the gap between themselves and competitors, allowing them to move one step ahead.

But, it’s not quite as simple as that, and the path to closing is far from certain. Regulatory scrutiny is expected to be intense, with competition authorities in the United States and abroad likely to probe whether Netflix controlling both its own streaming service and such a vast archive of content would unduly lessen competition. In fact, President Donald Trump himself has made comments about regulations that would need to be in place in order for this sale to take place.

Despite this, however, Netflix’s leadership has struck a pretty confident tone. At recent industry events, its co-CEOs described themselves as “incredibly happy” with the deal and “super confident” of securing approvals. So, is there confidence warranted or is it, perhaps, verging on arrogance?

Enter Paramount, The Unexpected Hostile Challenger

Just days after Netflix’s agreement was announced and everybody was reeling at the news, Paramount shifted the story dramatically with its own shocking proposal – a hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros. in its entirety. Not quite something we had on our bingo card for 2025!

According to PR Newswire, Paramount’s all-cash offer values WBD at around US$108.4bn, or US$30 per share, and is designed to appeal directly to shareholders rather than through Warner’s board. It’s a different approach, but it’s actually completely viable. In fact, Chief executive David Ellison has been outspoken in his criticism of the Netflix deal, arguing that Paramount’s bid offers “superior value” to shareholders and a clearer path through regulatory hurdles.

But, a big part of Paramount’s strategy is its backing. The bid has pulled in support from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, including interests from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, signalling rare and significant foreign investment in a major US media acquisition. It’s a big money move with very solid credibility.

Paramount’s offer, however, differs from Netflix’s in scope. Where Netflix’s deal covers the studios and streaming business, Paramount’s bid includes the entirety of Warner Bros. – that means news networks like CNN and other cable assets – which could make for a fundamentally different corporate structure if it succeeds. In fact, it would mean a massive shift in the news and broadcasting community.

According to Business Insider, Ellison has taken his case direct to shareholders, arguing very adamantly that Warner’s board should reconsider its support for Netflix’s proposal.

Politics, Public Reaction and Industry Implications

This isn’t just a disagreement confined to the boardroom. In fact, the battle has cut into political debate. Indeed, as we mentioned, several prominent  US, figures including President Donald Trump, have weighed in on the matter, with Trump publicly questioning the competitive implications of Netflix’s proposed acquisition and urging that news assets like CNN should be included in any deal.

Meanwhile, social media timelines are filling with jokes and memes about the bidding war, illustrating how even public culture has latched onto what’s become a defining media story of 2025.

For the industry, the outcome could completely reshape alliances and competitive dynamics for years to come.

If Netflix wins, it will most likely strengthen its position as the dominant global streaming platform with unmatched content depth – it would be pretty difficult for anyone to compete. But if Paramount prevails, it would mark one of the largest hostile takeovers in media history and reunite many of Hollywood’s legacy brands under a single corporate umbrella.

Both proposals face potential regulatory hurdles, antitrust concerns and questions about the complexity of crossing national borders with media ownership.

The Future for Warner Bros., the Entertainment Industry’s Proverbial “Piggy In the Middle”

At this stage, Warner Bros.’ board seems to remain committed to the Netflix agreement, but Paramount’s shareholder bid has created uncertainty. Shareholders are being given time to weigh the competing offers, with the extended battle expected to stretch into early 2026.

It’s entirely possible that either bidder might sweeten its offer or adjust terms to satisfy regulators and shareholders alike. Another wrinkle could come if one side successfully raises its bid or if political pressure influences how regulators approach antitrust evaluations.

Whatever happens, however, the race to acquire Warner Bros. isn’t just about money. It’s about who gets to shape storytelling for the next generation, control some of the world’s most valuable entertainment brands and set the tone for how media power is distributed in the digital age. And further than that, it may very well shape the landscape for similar purchases, acquisitions and hostile takeovers in other industries at large.

Indeed, this fight has only just begun, and in many ways, the next few months will tell us more about the future of Hollywood than any blockbuster film ever could.

Although, knowing the industry, someone will probably make a movie about the whole ordeal in a few years anyway!