Blockbuster Ending? Netflix Drops Out of WB Talks, Leaving David Ellison’s Paramount in Pole Position – RedState
It’s a battle that has been raging for months: who will come up with the right numbers and plan the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. – Paramount Skydance Corp., or Netflix?
The stakes are high because WB is a highly sought-after asset with its famous studio and huge library of streaming content.
Netflix, which seemed poised to win the bidding war at the end of 2025, is taking a giant step backwards. The potential purchase price was simply becoming too high, they said:
Netflix Inc. has abandoned the fight to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., paving the way for rival Paramount Skydance Corp. to close its $111 billion deal for the historic Hollywood studio.
“The transaction we negotiated would have created value for shareholders with a clear path to regulatory approval,” Netflix said in a statement Thursday. “However, we have always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we decline to match Paramount Skydance’s offer.”
🚨 🚨 🚨 BREAKING: Paramount takes over ALL Warner Brothers while Netflix has just given up.
What does this mean?
CNN WILL NOW BE OWNED BY LARRY ELLISON & TEAM, THE SAME GROUP THAT BOUGHT @TheFP AND WHO PIVOTED CBS TO THE CENTER!
🎉 🙌 🥳 pic.twitter.com/hOQ3Yy3kTk
– Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) February 26, 2026
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Trump has not taken an official position on who should win, but billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who holds a major financial position in Paramount Skydance, and his son, David, who is chairman and CEO of the media giant, are widely considered pro-Trump conservatives. Trump has praised the Ellisons for trying to eliminate left-wing bias within their news division, which includes CBS News, while he has been highly critical of Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and the endless woke messages the streamer forces into its content.
As I like to joke, “It’s the part where they have the lesbian kiss that has nothing to do with the story.” And I’m usually right.
And don’t forget that Netflix is the company that awarded the Obamas a multi-year production deal worth up to $100 million (although Netflix has never disclosed the actual amount). Can anyone remember anything memorable resulting from this partnership? Not me.
Why does Netflix have to make every show super gay? Will’s exit scene in “Stranger Things” was completely unnecessary, cringe-inducing, and basically derailed the entire show. pic.twitter.com/tODiZfRUjC
-Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 6, 2026
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So it looks like it’s over, but this story has already had many twists and turns and red herrings, so there could be more developments to come.
Paramount’s hostile bid to acquire the entire Warner Bros. portfolio Discovery, including its linear TV assets like CNN and TNT Sports, comes with a purchase price of $31 per share in cash, as well as a $7 billion regulatory termination fee for the previous deal with Netflix.
Until Friday, Warner Bros. Discovery had urged its board to support the Netflix deal, even as Paramount stepped up its hostile efforts toward the Hollywood giant.
Any sale of Warner Bros. assets. Discovery is expected to be approved by Trump’s Justice Department, which earlier this month ousted the head of its antitrust division.
And… cut!
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