{"id":2574588,"date":"2026-02-27T21:19:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T02:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paramount-announces-official-merger-agreement-to-acquire-wbd\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T21:21:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T02:21:15","slug":"paramount-announces-official-merger-agreement-to-acquire-wbd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paramount-announces-official-merger-agreement-to-acquire-wbd\/","title":{"rendered":"Paramount announces official merger agreement to acquire WBD"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fparamount-announces-official-merger-agreement-to-acquire-wbd%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2574588&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Paramount Skydance has announced an official merger agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Finding,following netflix\u2019s decision not to raise its bid. After a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jetblue-strikes-deal-to-buy-spirit-airlines-to-usher-in-new-era-of-godawful-customer-service\/\" title=\"JetBlue Strikes ... to Buy Spirit Airlines to Usher in New Era of Godawful Customer Service\">months-long <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/amazon-justifies-spending-465-million-on-one-season-of-lord-of-the-rings-series\/\" title=\"Amazon Justifies Spending 5 Million On One Season Of \u2018Lord Of The Rings\u2019 Series\">bidding war<\/a><\/a> over WBD, Netflix withdrew, clearing the way for Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to reveal their merger deal,which would combine vast libraries and production capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>The deal would place Paramount at the helm of iconic franchises and properties such as Game of Thrones, Mission: Unfeasible, Harry Potter, Top Gun, the DC Universe, and SpongeBob SquarePants. It also folds in a wide array of channels\u2014Discovery Channel, HBO, Cartoon Network, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, the Travel Channel, Animal Planet, Turner Classic Movies, and more\u2014and enables streaming consolidation by uniting Paramount+, HBO Max, and Pluto TV.<\/p>\n<p>Paramount chairman David Ellison framed the move as a way to honor both companies\u2019 legacies while building a next-generation media and entertainment company,expecting to create greater value for audiences,partners,and shareholders. WBD CEO David Zaslav expressed optimism about maximizing value for shareholders and completing the historic transaction.<\/p>\n<p>The merger is discussed against broader political dynamics, with paramount perceived as more aligned with the Trump administration and Netflix viewed as closer to Democratic interests. The report notes Trump pressured Netflix to fire Susan Rice from its board, and Paramount\u2019s CEO attended the State of the Union address, underscoring the intersection of entertainment deals and politics.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Paramount announces official merger agreement to acquire Warner Bros Discovery<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2482339\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/paramount\/\">Paramount Skydance<\/a> announced a merger agreement to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, just one day after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4473675\/warner-bros-discovery-paramount-skydance-bid-superior-netflix\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4473675\/warner-bros-discovery-paramount-skydance-bid-superior-netflix\/\">Netflix threw in the towel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Paramount and Netflix were locked in a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >months-long heated bidding war<\/a> over WBD, which had fallen into financial disrepair. A February bid from Paramount proved too much for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/netflix\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1727\">Netflix<\/a>, and it announced Thursday that it wouldn&rsquo;t increase its bid, clearing the way for Paramount. Paramount and WBD <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/ir.paramount.com\/news-releases\/news-release-details\/paramount-acquire-warner-bros-discovery-form-next-generation\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/ir.paramount.com\/news-releases\/news-release-details\/paramount-acquire-warner-bros-discovery-form-next-generation\">announced<\/a> their official merger deal on Friday, greatly expanding the cultural juggernaut.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4475180\/trump-whataburger-air-force-one-jokes-being-poisoned-after-texas-speech\/\">Trump picks up Whataburger for Air Force One and jokes about being poisoned after Texas speech<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4475129\/trump-two-steps-texas-gop-senate-primary-corpus-christi\/\">Trump two-steps around Texas GOP Senate primary in Corpus Christi swing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4474312\/dhs-released-illegal-border-crossers-despite-claims-zero\/\">DHS releasing some illegal border crossers into US despite claims of &#8216;zero&#8217; releases<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The deal gives Paramount ownership of several cultural and entertainment titans: Game of Thrones, Mission Impossible,&nbsp;Harry Potter, Top Gun, the DC Universe, and SpongeBob SquarePants.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;From the very beginning, our pursuit of&nbsp;Warner Bros. Discovery&nbsp;has been guided by a clear purpose: to honor the legacy of two iconic companies while accelerating our vision of building a next-generation media and entertainment company,&rdquo; Paramount Chairman and CEO David Ellison said in a statement. By bringing together these world-class studios, our complementary streaming platforms, and the extraordinary talent behind them, we will create even greater value for audiences, partners, and shareholders &mdash; and we couldn&rsquo;t be more excited for what&rsquo;s ahead.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>WBD President and CEO David Zaslav was equally optimistic in his own statement, which was released alongside Paramount&rsquo;s announcement.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m very pleased with the outcome we achieved for WBD shareholders and the entertainment industry.&nbsp;Our guiding principle throughout this process has been to secure a transaction that maximizes the value of our iconic assets and our century-old studio while delivering as much certainty as possible for our investors. We look forward to working with Paramount to complete this historic transaction,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Among the many channels and brands the deal adds to Paramount&rsquo;s catalogue are: Discovery Channel, HBO, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, the Travel Channel, Animal Planet, and Turner Classic Movies. Streaming-wise, Paramount now has the ability to combine Paramount+, HBO Max, and Pluto TV.<\/p>\n<p>The Netflix-Paramount bidding war was constantly <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4473675\/warner-bros-discovery-paramount-skydance-bid-superior-netflix\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4473675\/warner-bros-discovery-paramount-skydance-bid-superior-netflix\/\">overshadowed by wider national politics<\/a>. Paramount is viewed as more friendly to the Trump administration and Republicans, while Netflix is viewed as more friendly to the Democratic Party, particularly given its years-long collaborations with the Obama family.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4473675\/warner-bros-discovery-paramount-skydance-bid-superior-netflix\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4473675\">NETFLIX CEDES WARNER BROS. BIDDING WAR TO PARAMOUNT AFTER DECLINING TO INCREASE OFFER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Last weekend, Trump&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4466831\/trump-netflix-fire-board-member-susan-rice\/\">pressured<\/a>&nbsp;Netflix to fire former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/susan-rice\/\">Susan Rice<\/a>&nbsp;from its board over comments she made about punishing companies that kowtow to Trump. If she was not removed from the board, Trump vowed that the streaming service would &ldquo;pay the consequences.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, Paramount CEO David Ellison attended the&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/state-of-the-union\/\">State of the Union<\/a>&nbsp;address based on an invitation from Sen.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\">Lindsey Graham<\/a>&nbsp;(R-SC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paramount to buy Warner Bros. Discovery; Netflix exits<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2574589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP25352694411584_0373d6.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[16353,54802,68238],"class_list":["post-2574588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-merger","tag-paramount-2","tag-wbd"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP25352694411584_0373d6.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2574588"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574588\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2574592,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574588\/revisions\/2574592"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2574589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2574588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2574588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2574588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}