Warner Bros rejects revised Paramount bid, sticks with Netflix

LOS ANGELES — Warner Bros Discovery's board unanimously turned down Paramount Skydance's latest attempt to acquire the studio, saying its revised $108.4 billion hostile bid amounted to a risky leveraged buyout that investors should reject. In a letter to shareholders on Wednesday, Warner Bros' board said Paramount's offer hinges on "an extraordinary amount of debt financing" that heightens the risk of closing. It reaffirmed its commitment to streaming giant Netflix's $82.7 billion deal for the film and television studio and other assets. Paramount and Netflix have been in a heated battle for Warner Bros, its prized film and television studios, and its extensive content library. Its lucrative entertainment franchises include "Harry Potter," "Game of Thrones," "Friends" and the DC Comics universe, as well as coveted classic films such as "Casablanca" and "Citizen Kane." The Warner Bros board voted against the $30-per-share cash offer on Tuesday, telling shareholders that Paramount's financing plan would saddle the smaller Hollywood studio with $87 billion in debt once the acquisitionWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times