Ankler Agenda Tick, Tick: The 10-Day Siege of Warner Bros. Begins
Dec 11, 2025
Joined by Katey Rich, a seasoned film and awards journalist, the discussion dives into the Golden Globes nominations, highlighting surprising snubs and the implications for upcoming films. They also explore the unfolding drama surrounding Warner Bros.'s potential merger, backed by Jared Kushner and Middle Eastern funding. The guests analyze the impact of this battle on Hollywood, union responses, and potential industry ramifications as TV and film production faces a slowdown amid uncertainty.
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Ten-Day Window And Shareholder Pressure
- Paramount's $30-per-share hostile bid gives Warner Bros a 10-day shareholder response window and can be extended to Jan 8.
- That offer may be insufficient without raising into the low-$30s per share to sway shareholders away from Netflix.
Bids Depend On Discovery Cable Valuation
- Raising a competing offer likely requires billions more and could target either the entire company or just the studio assets.
- Valuation hinges on how bidders price Discovery's cable business, which remains highly material to WBD value.
Political Risk From Kushner And Middle Eastern Backing
- Kushner and Middle Eastern financing supply a large portion of Paramount's backing, raising regulatory and political red flags.
- Netflix's original deal avoided that geopolitical scrutiny, which influenced the WBD board's preference.