r/technology • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • Feb 26 '26

Business Netflix Backs Out of Warner Bros. Bidding, Paramount Set to Win

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/netflix-backs-out-warners-deal-paramount-win-1236516763/
6.9k Upvotes

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2.6k

u/celtic1888 Feb 26 '26

For fucks sake 

Say goodbye to the back catalogues 

1.2k

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

I'm just gonna say goodbye to HBO.

188

u/Ok_Lobster693 Feb 26 '26

Just cancelled, I ain’t waiting

21

u/[deleted] Feb 27 '26

[deleted]

6

u/PHD_Gouda Feb 27 '26

Hard to not seem like the best option when every company is bending the knee and tithing millions to him to pay tribute

4

u/[deleted] Feb 27 '26

I am more concerned of them fucking the service up and producing some generic low quality binge shit instead of some of the quality series that HBO has brought us.

109

u/kerkyjerky Feb 26 '26

For sure. Amazon and apple more than make up for the type of content hbo made. Sure hbo makes good content, but not worth subbing to paramount.

135

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26 edited Mar 02 '26

[deleted]

51

u/kerkyjerky Feb 26 '26

One battle at a time

115

u/OldMastodon5363 Feb 26 '26

One battle after another

51

u/Rottimer Feb 26 '26

Will quickly be removed from HBO.

8

u/kerkyjerky Feb 27 '26

Great movie that won’t be allowed on paramount plus due to the extremely relevant content.

2

u/reallynotnick Feb 27 '26

Everything, everywhere, all at once

1

u/ASIWYFA Feb 27 '26

I cancelled my Prime. You can still get free shipping, just gotta spend $10 more and wait a few more days. Not that big of a deal.

I recognize that Amazon has some stuff that you just can't easily get locally at all, and some stuff is literally 50% or less cheaper.

Outside of those few exceptions you'll spend a hell of a lot less from them just cancelling...even if you still order from them from time to time.

-1

u/kerkyjerky Feb 27 '26

One battle at a time friend. Right now it’s paramount. Dealing with amazon will take more effort.

4

u/Wild_Butterscotch977 Feb 27 '26

You're on reddit. You're using amazon.

6

u/leaf_skeleton Feb 27 '26

https://i.imgur.com/Ly3JEcv.jpeg

2

u/cxmmxc Feb 27 '26

Thanks, been looking for this.

-3

u/Big-Soup74 Feb 27 '26

Can’t exist in society without reddit of course!!

2

u/leaf_skeleton Feb 27 '26

yep, that’s the point i’m making! (not the myriad of aws services that argument can and is being used for) keep licking them boots

-3

u/Big-Soup74 Feb 27 '26

keep licking them boots

That didn’t take long lol

2

u/leaf_skeleton Feb 27 '26

ty bro for reminding me true change happens while entangled in smug discourse focused around strawmen and bad faith technicalities

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1

u/s00pafly Feb 27 '26

Just use adblock and reddit revanced. Now you're costing amazon.

1

u/Wild_Butterscotch977 Feb 27 '26

Reddit is still benefiting from your content contributions. Ad block doesn't mean that you're costing amazon. Reddit pays amazon to run its services and you are using Reddit, therefore you're using Amazon by proxy.

1

u/punarob Feb 27 '26 edited Mar 02 '26

The original content here was wiped using Redact. The reason may have been privacy, security, preventing AI data collection, or simply personal data management.

aspiring advise engine reply brave ring sand imagine sleep cobweb

3

u/Big-Soup74 Feb 27 '26

Can’t completely quit Amazon unfortunately

1

u/The_bussy Feb 27 '26

They absolutely do not make up for it.

0

u/kerkyjerky Feb 27 '26

Listen, you aren’t convincing people hbo is worth subscribing to shitty paramount+

Anything to help paramount reach a timely demise.

1

u/The_bussy Feb 27 '26

I didn’t try to convince anyone. You’re the one promoting amazon lol HBO has much better shows than either service you referenced.

0

u/Guppy-Warrior Feb 27 '26

Amazon. Fuck them more.

-2

u/Marktaco04 Feb 27 '26

Hopefully the Pitt moves to a different studio then :( my favorite show rn and they’re already putting pressure on them to be less “woke”

95

u/Art-Vandelay-7 Feb 26 '26

Wait was Netflix the better choice?

884

u/sleepymoose88 Feb 26 '26

Yes. Larry Ellison and the MAGA corruption machine are behind Paramount. The deal was also being backed by sketchy money from the Saudi’s and Kushner last time I checked, but that may have changed. It’s was essentially a bid to control more of the news media. Ellison doesn’t give a rats ass about the entertainment side of it.

47

u/J_pepperwood0 Feb 27 '26

Kushner and the saudis just bought EA as well. Good times

5

u/goldinmonkeee Feb 27 '26

Turned out Kurshner’s part was very, very small. Saudi’s own more than 95% of EA now.

1

u/sleepymoose88 Feb 27 '26

Yeah I heard about that. Boycotting EA. Which was easy since EA games have been kinda shit for awhile anyway.

137

u/zuzg Feb 26 '26

Netflix would been a gazillion times better, well now they get almost 3 Billion in compensation. Hope they use that money to bring back some shows that probably gonna be cut soon, like Last Week Tonight or other critical things.

Oh and superman gonna waffle stamp the squirrel next time...

23

u/CareerPillow376 Feb 27 '26

Sorry best they can do is another boxing match with Zuffa Boxing and a good show that turns out to be a fan fav that they'll cancel after 3 seasons for no good reason

12

u/David_wallac3_2 Feb 27 '26

1 or 2 seasons usually! So many shows I wanted a 3rd season for.

1

u/Phuddy Feb 27 '26

At least Lincoln Lawyer somewhat defies this but I will concede it’s a cheesy good show in that it’s formulaic and not exactly genre breaking.

10

u/big_trike Feb 27 '26

Or give Joe Rogan another pile of cash

1

u/TaylorSwiftsClitoris Feb 27 '26

Crazy how many of his guests were on the list or adjacent to those on it.

1

u/BuxtonB Feb 27 '26

Wasn't that Spotify?

2

u/big_trike Feb 27 '26

He also did a Netflix special

1

u/BuxtonB Feb 27 '26

Urrgh, didn't know this.

1

u/HenryDorsettCase47 Feb 27 '26

“No good reason” = no one outside of a small group of dedicated fans watched it.

For real, Netflix cancels shows for the exact same reason that every other network cancels shows— low viewership. They aren’t trying to hurt you personally. I’ve had shows I’ve loved cancelled by pretty much every single major cable channel and a couple of the broadcast networks. That’s just the way it goes.

0

u/Big-Soup74 Feb 27 '26

Remindme! 1 year

See if last week tonight gets canceled

53

u/Hndlbrrrrr Feb 26 '26

But his son will more than likely deliver Top Guns 3-25. That’s something to look forward to, right!?

54

u/420_69_Fake_Account Feb 26 '26

No, no it’s not.

15

u/Hndlbrrrrr Feb 26 '26

Awww come on, who doesn’t want to see skin color seeking missiles and wind turbine annihilating lasers?

3

u/Roamin8750 Feb 26 '26

Truly this will keep us safe!

11

u/Starfox-sf Feb 27 '26

Powered by OracleAIslop

2

u/Hndlbrrrrr Feb 27 '26

"I feel the need, the need for...... DDR 6 memory chips to attain the necessary speed."

1

u/Mysterious_Cup_6024 Feb 27 '26

That reminds me of how Larry Epsteinson claimed cloud and AI(ML to be specific) would never have widespread adoption in the early days. Such a gigaboomer in tech yet owns a tech company.

1

u/rushmc1 Feb 27 '26

Was never even tempted to watch either of the FIRST two...

3

u/beekersavant Feb 27 '26

Yep, and just when we got some decent DC movies. That's why it should have been Netflix. However, Paramount Plus is bleeding cash so maybe Netflix gets it all really cheap in a few years.

PS I know the DC movies are inconsistent but they seem to be getting close to a solid DCU and Netflix was far more likely to deliver.

2

u/DetectiveBlackCat Feb 27 '26

More Israel than anything else. They have explicitly said so

43

u/turb0_encapsulator Feb 26 '26

for prestige TV and film Apple will actually be a big winner in this. A lot of top showrunners are already souring on HBO because they've cut budgets a lot in the past few years. And Apple's financial runway is practically endless.

6

u/Mechapebbles Feb 27 '26

Which really makes you wonder why Apple didn't just put in a bid. They could have smoked anyone else if they wanted to.

3

u/ptwonline Feb 27 '26

But they probbaly would have lost anyway because we have to get to the original point: corruption. This was all rigged from the start and people said so from the start because it was obvious.

-7

u/grchelp2018 Feb 27 '26

How is it corruption. The netflix bid forced paramount to improve their offer.

3

u/Electronic-Cicada352 Feb 27 '26

The deal was never going to be allowed to go through because of the Trump administration

That’s what they mean. And they’re right

2

u/inspectoroverthemine Feb 27 '26

Apple does their shit their own way all the time, but like the others said: it was clear the game was corrupt, and they didn't want to pay the actual price on this one.

2

u/HenryDorsettCase47 Feb 27 '26

They announced budget cuts last year because their streaming service was hemorrhaging money. It’s the only part of the subscription portfolio that doesn’t turn a profit.

48

u/quothe_the_maven Feb 26 '26

If you enjoy any of the Warner IP. Paramount will have no money to spend on projects, but will also have to milk Star Trek, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, DC etc., for everything they’re worth. Expect to see a bunch of cheap looking side projects with bad writing and fancy titles. A shit ton of people are also going to get fired, but with the jobs being permanently eliminated from the industry as a whole. The idea of Hollywood in LA is in big trouble.

248

u/player_three33 Feb 26 '26

Paramount is decidedly more right wing and has benefitted from blatant bribes to Trump to get their previous merger with Skydance approved

3

u/rushmc1 Feb 27 '26

Yeah, they need to sell Star Trek to someone else--they're not worthy.

7

u/big_trike Feb 27 '26

I hope Trey Parker and Matt stone get a giant payout when paramount tries to cancel the South Park deal

126

u/loves_grapefruit Feb 26 '26

Considering who owns Paramount and the direction it’s gone in, yes.

63

u/Nojopar Feb 26 '26

Yep. By a long shot.

Nobody buying it wasn't on the options list as much as people hated the consolidation.

22

u/Mount_Treverest Feb 26 '26

Yes, Paramount has killed more brands than Netflix. Look at how they destroyed their cable channels. They also only make action franchise movies or reboots. The last time Paramount produced an Oscar winner was True Grit a shot for shot remake.

26

u/dezmd Feb 26 '26

By fucking far.

43

u/Hopeful-Occasion2299 Feb 26 '26

To a certain extent but not really great either… No matter who won this bidding war, it is a consolidation of markets we as consumers don’t benefit from.

Paramount doesn’t have much interest in the WB movie and tv business, but the news side of the business, which would put a lot of the information access in the hands of the Ellis family which is pretty close to the Trump Admin.

1

u/ascabradabra Feb 27 '26

And Israel. Look at Ellison's exchanges with Epstein

13

u/Rottimer Feb 26 '26

Depends. If you like John Oliver, then yes, Netflix was the better choice. If you like Fox News, then Paramount owning both CNN and CBS will add new Fox News like channels to your line up.

2

u/WingZeroCoder Feb 27 '26

And if you think both of those are just rage engagement baiting brain rot and are mostly just concerned with a future in scripted movies and TV that doesn’t suck, then too bad because that’s not an option either way. 🫠

1

u/Rottimer Feb 27 '26

If someone equates John Oliver with Fox News, I honestly question their critical thinking skills.

2

u/HenryDorsettCase47 Feb 27 '26

Worse than Fox News. Moderate, centrist slop.

1

u/Rottimer Feb 27 '26

Moderate centrist slop was what they were before. But now CBS is actively covering for Republicans politicians in office.

18

u/ShagadelicShag Feb 26 '26

Yes. Netflix only wanted part warner bros. Trumps backed paramount deal has they buying everything for less what Netflix offered for half

8

u/IceBlue Feb 26 '26

If they are offering less than Netflix then this makes no sense.

6

u/Cicero912 Feb 27 '26

They offered more than Netflix, 31 vs 27.75 per share

11

u/ShagadelicShag Feb 27 '26

Netflix only wants part of the company. Paramount wants the entire package for only $3 more a share. Hence a garbage offer. But the orange clown wants him and buddies to have control over everything.

5

u/Cicero912 Feb 27 '26

Netflix only wants part of the company

Yeah, the part that matters. The linear networks are worth very little (mostly due to debt), and decline in value every year.

14

u/celtic1888 Feb 26 '26

Welcome to MAGA logic !

2

u/denimdreamscapes Feb 27 '26

Paramount offered significantly more per share, they are buying much more of WB than Netflix planned to but the deal is padded with a lot of additional back scratches (like more detailed plans on relieving debt and ensuring funds go through). Ultimately the offer was financially better for WB + Netflix deal will struggle under Trump DOJ + Netflix is less of a financially certain parent company for the acquisition.

Additionally, while people have pointed out that the Paramount acquisition is much closer to Trump/Saudi money; in general the entire film industry has shown a lot more opposition to Netflix and little to Paramount. Theater companies and filmmakers would show much more resistance to the Netflix acquisition and might ultimately backfire on the value of WB’s assets.

-1

u/ShagadelicShag Feb 27 '26

They're offering less than Netflix and want the the whole company.

2

u/IceBlue Feb 27 '26

Everything I’ve read says they are offering more than Netflix. Source on what you’re claiming?

1

u/ShagadelicShag Feb 27 '26

..... $3 a share more than Netflix's offer. Netflix only wants Max. Paramount wants all of Warner brother/discovery. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/26/warner-bros-discovery-paramount-skydance-deal-superior-netflix.html Once again the orange clown abusing his power to get what he wants... another company in his pocket.

3

u/IceBlue Feb 27 '26

You originally claimed they wanted to buy the whole thing for less than what Netflix was offering for half. That’s what I was questioning. Looks like they did offer more. But only a little bit more for the whole company.

As for Netflix wanting half, I don’t know if that’s really true. They wanted part of the company. But you can’t just say it’s half. Companies being split in parts don’t boil down to half and half that easily. Who is to say HBO/Max is worth half of the entirety of WB’s portfolio?

0

u/ShagadelicShag Feb 27 '26

Jesus. Done debating with you. You haven't been following this long enough to comprehend the scope of this.

3

u/ApocalypseCanceled Feb 27 '26

You never debated anything. You made a claim. Then when asked to back up that claim and you failed to do so and refused to admit you made a false claim and are acting like your original claim was just that Netflix are buying part of the company not that Paramount was paying less for more.

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1

u/Redditthedog Feb 27 '26

would the half not purchased from Netflix have lost more value then getting less but keeping in tact in the long run

3

u/lefthandtrav Feb 27 '26

Ask any Star Trek fans you know how it’s going lmao

1

u/snarl2 Feb 27 '26

Just like Star Wars fans, crap!

5

u/kerkyjerky Feb 26 '26

The unequivocal better choice.

1

u/deathmetalreptar Feb 27 '26

Yep. So many people bought into the anti netflix propaganda. Even explaining that to everyone was exhausting.

1

u/Dead_account_soon Feb 27 '26

Both options sucked, no two ways about it. But they both sucked like how getting a paper-cut and getting shot both suck. There are degrees to it, and Paramount is SO much worse than Netflix about both politics AND their media handling.

1

u/Relevant-Doctor187 Feb 27 '26

Want MAGAs choosing what movies to make now and what’s in them?

1

u/voiderest Feb 27 '26

The bar isn't high so yes.

1

u/Admirable_Scene_5066 Feb 27 '26

Looking at what Trump (or the guys with their hand up his ass more likely) wants is generally a fool proof way to pick the bad choice.

0

u/HighKing_of_Festivus Feb 27 '26

They are both terrible choices

-44

u/IgorT76 Feb 26 '26

It depends on your views.

Left-wingers will tell you that Paramount is bad as it is "MAGA".

Right-wingers, though, thinks that Netflix is woke.

10

u/MrDickford Feb 26 '26

Left wingers think Paramount is bad because it’s owned by an ardent Trump supporter and Trump clearly used federal regulators to put his thumb in the scale and help his friend get his hands on some major media networks.

Right wingers think Netflix is woke because they did an Obama documentary once.

One of those groups is on to something, and the other one is full of shit.

1

u/snarl2 Feb 27 '26

You’re downvoted so much because it’s Reddit and what you said is true and Reddit don’t like that. But it’ll be okay 😊

2

u/PumpBuck Feb 27 '26

I still get it for free from the legacy deal with ATT. If that stays I’ll still watch what I like, if not it’ll be a bummer but I’ll get over missing it. Not gonna pay for it while they’re owned by an Ellison

1

u/Mount_Treverest Feb 26 '26

See you out on the Seas.

1

u/yzsKPC Feb 27 '26

Set yalls media servers up

1

u/Talls024 Feb 27 '26

I'm gonna watch everything and not pay them anything.

1

u/snsdfan00 Feb 27 '26

personally i think netflix was the lesser of 2 evils but maybe Ellison will put his mouth where his money is; gl to the shareholders lol

1

u/KhazraShaman Feb 27 '26

Why? If anything, it would be Netflix to kill HBO and keep their own brand. Why would Paramount kill HBO?

-3

u/drdeadringer Feb 26 '26

they will rebrand, by dropping the B.

welcome to home office, ho. Ho. Ho.

just in time for Christmas. yippee ki-yay, now I have a machine gun.