Warner Bros-Discovery Roundup: Talent backlash, Legendary pullout, DC Fandom cancelled

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

I don't see how this benefits either? Also, would Paramount be unloading CBS?

In theory, I guess this would have an easier time getting past government regulations than a WB/Universal merger.

How is it not beneficial? They combine streaming assets, CBS is one of the 3 major networks with football, HBO probably overtakes Showtime as the premier destination for premium content, they'll own basically 50%+ of all cable channels and they can fold Paramount pictures under Warner Bros. Pictures studio.

 

[David_TheMan]

Sure but tossing studios around isn't good.

Wasn't really tossing studios around.
AOL and ATT buyouts really left WB/HBO largely unaffected.
WB and HBO were always allowed to operate in silos.
Nothing really changed until Zaslav came in with the directive to to spin WB media properties off from ATT.
Zaslav is probably the most hands on and assertive CEO they've had in 20 - 30 years

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

Wasn't really tossing studios around.
AOL and ATT buyouts really left WB/HBO largely unaffected.
WB and HBO were always allowed to operate in silos.
Nothing really changed until Zaslav came in with the directive to to spin WB media properties off from ATT.
Zaslav is probably the most hands on and assertive CEO they've had in 20 - 30 years

HBO and WB Pictures still operate the same way as they did before him.

 

[David_TheMan]

It says that WBD would be the ones buying Paramount. Apparently, Paramount is only worth 10B

Paramount has less debt I believe
They would control 90 - 95% of all fukking cable television wouldn't they.
Discovery and Scripps networks (FoodNetwork, DIY, Cooking, Discovery, TLC, Motor, Science tv, ID)
Paramount ( MTv, VH1, comedy central, etc)

Off streaming alone they could offer people everything they want cable wise except for local tv.

 

[David_TheMan]

HBO and WB Pictures still operate the same way as they did before him.

Nah he reorganized and fired a great deal of top executives when he came on board.
HBO is no longer a silo either, he forced them into the ecosystem with everyone else as far as budgetting and reporting , if I remember correctly.
He flattened structure at Discovery/Warner compared to how it had been before, but this was at ATT's request

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

Nah he reorganized and fired a great deal of top executives when he came on board.
HBO is no longer a silo either, he forced them into the ecosystem with everyone else as far as budgetting and reporting , if I remember correctly.
He flattened structure at Discovery/Warner compared to how it had been before, but this was at ATT's request

I'm talking on the creative side. It's still the same people behind much of the creative side for HBO and it's still many of the same people in the marketing department for WB Pictures.

 

[jay211]

How is it not beneficial? They combine streaming assets, CBS is one of the 3 major networks with football, HBO probably overtakes Showtime as the premier destination for premium content, they'll own basically 50%+ of all cable channels and they can fold Paramount pictures under Warner Bros. Pictures studio.

First, the FTC may block this. But even beyond that. Paramount + would ahve to be shut down, and so would Showtime. It would be negative for the entertainment industry, as multiple buyers would be gone for content.

The FTC already said it would block mergers like this. I can't seeing it passing, without WB unloading some assets that would come from Viacom (like unloading CBS, etc.)

 

[David_TheMan]

I'm talking on the creative side. It's still the same people behind much of the creative side for HBO and it's still many of the same people in the marketing department for WB Pictures.

Nah, he fired a lot of creatives, showrunners on HBO , really all of WB entertainment assets.
Marketing may be the same, but he gutted whole divisions and killed shows.
He has to pay down that debt

 

[David_TheMan]

First, the FTC may block this. But even beyond that. Paramount + would ahve to be shut down, and so would Showtime. It would be negative for the entertainment industry, as multiple buyers would be gone for content.

The FTC already said it would block mergers like this. I can't seeing it passing, without WB unloading some assets that would come from Viacom (like unloading CBS, etc.)

FTC won't be blocking a damn thing.
If this were to happen it would increase the coming comp from Comcast who has money in hand and is waiting to pounce with a deal like this or make Disney dance for cash

 

[jay211]

Merger Meeting? WBD’s David Zaslav & Paramount Global’s Bob Bakish Sit Down To Talk Possible Deal; “Preliminary,” Says Source

Deadline has confirmed that Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global have held talks on a possible merger.

deadline.com

As a broadcast network coupled with 28 owned stations in many markets, CBS is a significant asset but also a legacy one. Given recent talk of Disney possibly parting with ABC and its stations (though the company recently said it has reconsidered) and other movement on the broadcast chess board, the notion of CBS and the stations not following the rest of the Paramount portfolio may be logical. Private equity funds have increasingly looked at local broadcasting as an area of interest.

Exactly like I said. They know, CBS couldn't be apart of the deal if they want the government to approve.

 

[David_TheMan]

Merger Meeting? WBD’s David Zaslav & Paramount Global’s Bob Bakish Sit Down To Talk Possible Deal; “Preliminary,” Says Source

Deadline has confirmed that Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global have held talks on a possible merger.

deadline.com

As a broadcast network coupled with 28 owned stations in many markets, CBS is a significant asset but also a legacy one. Given recent talk of Disney possibly parting with ABC and its stations (though the company recently said it has reconsidered) and other movement on the broadcast chess board, the notion of CBS and the stations not following the rest of the Paramount portfolio may be logical. Private equity funds have increasingly looked at local broadcasting as an area of interest.

Exactly like I said. They know, CBS couldn't be apart of the deal if they want the government to approve.

Why couldn't they, CBS changing hands wouldn't matter, WB/ discovery doesn't have any broadcast stations either.
No different than NBC being bought by Comcast

 

[Ozymandeas]

I doubt Redstone wants to sell Paramount

 

[daemonova]

I think a WB/Paramount merger might go through. It's not as wide reaching as a Universal/WB merger would be.

Yeah, Congress was gonna have to intervene on that merger, that company would be too big.

 

[daemonova]

First, the FTC may block this. But even beyond that. Paramount + would ahve to be shut down, and so would Showtime. It would be negative for the entertainment industry, as multiple buyers would be gone for content.

The FTC already said it would block mergers like this. I can't seeing it passing, without WB unloading some assets that would come from Viacom (like unloading CBS, etc.)

 

[daemonova]

I doubt Redstone wants to sell Paramount

The Shareholders to Shari: you will always be my queen.

Azor Ahai fulfilled!!!