Analysts Weigh In on Paramount's $108.4 Billion Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Paramount-Skydance Media launched a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery on Monday.

This comes after Netflix emerged victorious in a weeks-long bidding war against Paramount and Comcast on Friday, securing a $72 billion equity deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s TV and film studios along with streaming assets.

Here’s what analysts and market experts make of the latest development:

**Adam Sarhan (CEO, 50 Park Investments, New York)** "This is positive for the media industry. Whoever ultimately secures these assets wins. This is simply one company being acquired—it won’t disrupt the media landscape but represents industry consolidation. Companies like Paramount and Netflix are flush with cash."

"They have deep pockets, and another bidding war isn’t off the table. Realistically, as long as the price isn’t excessive, shareholders of the winning bidder will benefit."

**Paul Pescatore (Analyst, PP Foresight, London)** "The situation is quickly getting messy—this looks like sour grapes. There were already market concerns that Paramount-Skydance might contest the auction process. For them, submitting a reasonable bid through a formal auction would’ve been far simpler and more efficient."

"Even though a deal is in place, Warner Bros. Discovery must still weigh all options. Fundamentally, this goes beyond just offering a higher bid—the latest twist is practically a soap opera."

"Like many, I was surprised by the earlier outcome. Given Paramount-Skydance’s interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery outright, they initially seemed the frontrunner. A full acquisition by them would’ve been the cleanest outcome for Warner Bros. Discovery, avoiding the need to spin off global network assets as the current deal requires."

**Ross Benes (Senior Analyst, eMarketer)** "The Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition is far from settled. While Netflix currently holds the upper hand, expect turbulence before the final gavel. Paramount will lobby shareholders, regulators, and politicians to block Netflix’s deal—this battle could drag on."

**Craig Huber (Analyst, Huber Research Partners, Connecticut)** "In our view, no matter the synergies, Paramount should tread carefully and avoid taking on Warner Bros. Discovery’s planned heavy debt load—the long-term structural revenue pressures facing legacy businesses are real and won’t vanish. Debt is no friend to media stocks. Did the CBS-Viacom merger really succeed?"