Netflix v Paramount: Trump wades into Warner Bros battle – The Latest

In this episode, The Guardian's Lucy Hough and Deputy Business Editor Callum Jones delve into the intricate bidding war involving two major players in Hollywood: Netflix and Paramount. Netflix recently agreed to a deal worth over $80 billion to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, a conglomerate that owns well-known content such as 'Friends' and 'Game of Thrones'. However, this deal has been complicated by a hostile takeover bid from Paramount, which has offered $108 billion for the entire Warner Bros. Discovery company.

The conversation explores the background of the Ellisons, who financed the Paramount bid and have connections to influential figures, including Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law. The involvement of such political figures raises concerns about the impact on media ownership and plurality. The episode highlights that both deals have significant implications for what viewers watch and how the news is presented, especially considering the balance of power in media swing between major platforms.

As the bidding war unfolds, anxieties persist within the affected newsrooms and the wider industry, navigating through potential monopolistic outcomes, regulatory challenges, and the overarching uncertainty that accompanies deals of this magnitude. The discussion points to heavy resistance from both Hollywood and Washington regarding such major consolidations, indicating the broader consequences for the entertainment landscape and audience choices.