Kat Piantka | Editor-in-Chief
December 12, 2025
After the global streaming giant Netflix proposed an $83 billion offer, consisting of stocks and cash for Warner Brother Studios and streaming services including HBO and HBO Max, it seemed like a deal would close, especially since Warner Brother’s Board of Executives accepted the deal. However, it appears the bidding saga will continue, as Paramount responded with a hostile bid of $108 billion on December 8, all-cash and $30 stock share versus Netflix’s $27.75 share. On paper, Paramount’s offer appears favorable, and the CEO claims their deal is even superior. But it is up to Warner Brothers to decide, and we can only hope that they will consider which offer protects consumers, the television and film industry, workers, creativity, maintains healthy competition, and does not violate antitrust laws.
Let’s break down both offers and their potential implications:
Netflix, the number one streaming service, has 300+ million global subscribers and aims to combine with the Warner Brothers market including powerhouse brands such as HBO, HBO Max, Warner Brothers Pictures, and the beloved DC Universe. They are the number 3 or 4 streaming service. Many believe that the merger of two industry powerhouses would violate the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, which outlaws competition mergers and acquisitions and preserves market competition. Trump has already reported that the deal could be an antitrust “problem.” Yet Netflix counters this opposition by claiming that their competition is major technology companies such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft and that they are “pro consumer.”
Ironically, the former WarnerMedia CEO shared with Reason that “[he] could not think of a more effective way to reduce competition in Hollywood than selling WBD to Netflix.” Television shows and movies that are specific streaming service niches could all be compiled under the name of Netflix and save consumers from having to purchase multiple subscriptions. However, that very reason incentivizes Netflix to increase their monthly subscription costs due to their expanded library, as they strive to control the entertainment industry. Furthermore, cable channels such as CNN, HGTV, TNT, Discovery, and the Food Network are all at risk of facing a Netflix spin off while Paramount would leave the integrity of the channels alone.
Additionally, many are concerned about the future of Hollywood and cinema if the Netflix and Warner Brothers deal was sealed. Hollywood unions are already worried about potential job cuts and how various industries could be impacted with a streaming takeover. Netflix co-CEO has said on multiple accounts that Netflix’s priority is at home streaming rather than theater viewings. Have the days of taking a trip to the movie theaters and seeing the iconic Warner Brothers Introduction Video faded into the past? It seems to me that couch-rotting and binge-watching TV series will be our future, rather than socializing and adventuring out into society to watch a movie: once a cherished pastime, now an outdated archive.
SCHS senior Kenton Wagner voiced his concern over a potential Netflix and Warner Brothers deal, as “each movie now is only going to be out in theaters for a week before it moves to Netflix.” This could be our future, as Americans who still enjoy a trip to the theater will have an even shorter window of time to see the film before it moves to streaming services.
However, some are concerned that movie screenings in theaters could be outright eliminated from the picture. SCHS freshman Morgan Ball expressed that “[she] would be sad if she could not go to the movies anymore with her friends.”
While most Americans tend to gravitate towards the comfortable and clean environment of their home, that does not mean that all want Netflix to take this pastime from us. Wagner said it best: “we have to pray that Paramount’s bid wins out” in order to preserve the future of cinema.
However, a Paramount Skydance deal claims to be “higher headline value, increased certainty in that value, greater regulatory certainty, and a pro-Hollywood, pro-consumer and pro-competition future” according to Paramount CEO David Ellison. The Hollywood and creative community appears to be in favor of Paramount merging with Warner Brother Studios, as they pledge to continue to release movies in theaters, and the movie industry would not be susceptible to the chaos of change. But the Paramount Skydance deal raises immense concern as well.
The deal is financed by Middle Eastern sovereign nation funds such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. As well as Affinity Partners, which is an investment firm founded by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Therefore, many are concerned that this deal will be influenced in favor of the White House as Trump also has close connections to the Ellison family, who are the owners of Paramount.
The Paramount Warner Brothers merger appears to also violate antitrust laws. Senator Elizabeth Warren warned that this deal is not in favor of Hollywood and would “create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market.” Therefore, neither the Netflix nor Paramount deal are in the best interest of Warner Brothers and could put the whole industry and everyone involved in jeopardy.
Many have been wondering, why is Warner Brothers selling in the first place? This shocking choice to put up the “for sale” sign was due to the damaging aftermath of disastrous mergers and acquisitions. For instance, in 2018 AT&T and Time Warner Cable merged in an $85 billion deal and left the film and entertainment corporation in insurmountable debt. Additionally, Warner Brothers desired to enter the realm of streaming and new television that is ruled by Netflix rather than falling behind with their old-fashioned ideals that emerged in 1923, with the age of booming Hollywood.
It’s only a matter of time before Warner Brothers’s Board of Directors will make a decision on who will become the new face of the movie franchise and the future of entertainment and the creative community.
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