Overview
- Ted Sarandos is scheduled to meet at the White House on Thursday to discuss Netflix’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming assets, according to TheWrap.
- Sarandos this week dismissed President Trump’s demand to fire Netflix director Susan Rice, saying the Warner Bros. pursuit is a business deal, not a political one.
- The Justice Department has issued civil investigative demands to theater owners and filmmakers as it evaluates the deal’s effects on competition, the theatrical market and jobs; Netflix says it is not a monopolist and will cooperate with regulators.
- Warner Bros. Discovery’s board is engaging with Paramount Skydance after David Ellison’s revised $31‑per‑share bid was deemed capable of leading to a superior proposal, with terms that include a ticking fee and substantial termination protections.
- If WBD declares Paramount’s offer superior, Netflix will have four business days to match; the Netflix agreement remains in place with a March 20 shareholder vote, while Paramount continues a hostile tender and proxy campaign.