Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly considering a merger with movie giant Paramount Global, with the possibility of a major cash shakeout following recent talks between the leaders of both companies.
According to Axios, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav meets Paramount Global Head Bob Bakish Tuesday at Paramount’s New York headquarters in Times Square to discuss options for a possible merger of the two film industry giants. Although no formal agreement has been announced yet, the prospect of a merger between the two companies will have a huge impact on the film industry, following similar mergers between companies like Disney and 20th Century Fox.
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According to the meeting, the two companies discussed how the merger could help unify their branding, particularly in the area of online movie streaming through their respective services Paramount Plus and Max (formerly HBO Max). As of this writing, neither company has said which company will acquire the other, but Paramount’s market value is nearly a third of Warner’s, and it is unlikely that Warner Bros. will acquire Paramount outright. There is growing speculation that this may be the case.
However, Warner Bros. has faced a major financial downturn in recent years, with the box office performance of many of its major films inconsistent and several major controversies erupting over decisions to cancel a number of unreleased projects. . The most notorious example was the decision to cancel previously announced plans. batgirl Although the film was reportedly nearing completion, it drew the ire of many fans, the director, and the film’s own staff.
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Merger talks are still in the early stages and there is no official news yet, but the prospect of an acquisition is likely to be significant between the two brands as intellectual property and services such as Paramount Plus and Max fall under the same group. This will open the door to synergy. corporate umbrella. It also means that CBS News and CNN, owned by Paramount and Warner Bros. respectively, could be combined into a giant news organization under a single leadership.
Financial experts are now predicting that a potential merger between the two companies could influence further acquisitions from competitors such as Disney and Netflix. Both companies already have alliances with several rivals. But in the meantime, Warner Bros. is said to be discussing prospects with bankers and financial executives to make the merger a reality, and only time will tell whether the prospect materializes.
Reaction to internet news
Meanwhile, many people on social media are sharing their reactions to the potential merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global. Some have in mind the possibility of fun crossovers, such as a battle between Superman and the Terminator, that could be made if Warner Bros. Discovery gets access to Paramount’s intellectual property library. Some people are concerned that a remake that shouldn’t be made will be made. . Many also worry that the potential for consolidation will be very bad for film and television overall. You can see some of the answers from X below.
sauce: Axios
