Prof G Markets Paramount Goes Hostile With $108B Bid for Warner Bros.
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Dec 9, 2025 
James Kynge, a Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, discusses China's record trade surplus and its geopolitical implications, including Europe's trade tensions. Jonathan Kanter, the former Assistant Attorney General, analyzes Paramount's $108B hostile bid for Warner Bros., uncovering antitrust concerns and comparing it to Netflix's strategies. They tackle how media consolidations impact consumer choices and the regulatory challenges ahead, offering a deep dive into the dynamics of modern media mergers.
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A Rising Non-Western Trade System
- Global trade is reorienting toward the non-West as China expands ties with the Global South.
- Kynge sees a rising 'non-West' trade network reducing Western centrality in global commerce.
UFC For M&A And Antitrust
- Jonathan Kanter compares the takeover battle to 'UFC for M&A and antitrust' to capture its intensity.
- He frames Netflix as the '800-pound gorilla' in streaming, making its bid an obvious antitrust focal point.
Why Netflix's Bid Triggers Antitrust Alarm
- Netflix buying Warner would combine the top and third-largest streaming players, raising clear antitrust risks.
- Kanter warns concerns include higher prices, reduced creator leverage, and library consolidation harming rivals.