Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global are reportedly engaged in early merger talks, according to sources familiar with the matter. The CEOs of the two companies, David Zaslav and Bob Bakish, met to discuss the potential deal, but the talks are in the preliminary stages, and it’s uncertain if an agreement will be reached. Both Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount declined to comment on the speculation.
The discussions come amid heightened speculation about Paramount’s future, with controlling shareholder Shari Redstone reportedly eager to explore potential deals. Paramount, which owns its movie studio and the CBS broadcast network, is grappling with a substantial debt load. Recently, Redstone had discussions with Skydance, led by David Ellison and backed by RedBird, as part of the exploration of strategic options.
On the other hand, Warner Bros. Discovery, formed through the merger of Warner Media and Discovery, has been focused on cost-cutting measures and reducing debt levels. The company, led by CEO David Zaslav, has emphasized the profitability of its streaming business, distinguishing itself from other streaming platforms facing financial challenges.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s approach to its two-year anniversary since the 2022 merger is significant for tax reasons, particularly related to Reverse Morris Trust. This milestone enables the company to engage in another significant deal two years after the completion of the previous merger. There is also speculation within the industry that Warner Bros. Discovery might enter merger talks with NBCUniversal, owned by Comcast.
While media industry executives see potential for consolidation, concerns linger about potential regulatory scrutiny under President Joe Biden’s administration, which could be wary of large media mergers. The news of the potential merger talks led to a more than 5% drop in Warner Bros. Discovery’s stock, while Paramount shares experienced a slight rebound from their lows. However, the situation remains fluid, and it is unclear whether the discussions will progress to a formal agreement.
