Netflix Ups Warner Bros. Discovery Bid to All-Cash Offer

Netflix has adjusted its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming assets to an all-cash bid, according to an SEC filing Tuesday. Netflix now plans to pay $27.75 per WBD share entirely in cash to acquire WBD's streaming platform HBO Max and the Warner Bros. film studio. The two companies initially reached a deal in December, composed of a combination of cash and stock at an equity value of $72 billion. CNBC's David Faber and other media outlets reported last week that Netflix was likely to make the adjustment as Paramount Skydance continues to build up pressure in its hostile takeover attempt for the entirety of WBD, which also includes cable TV networks such as CNN and TNT. The change to Netflix's deal structure could allow WBD shareholders to move up their vote to approve the offer, Faber reported last week, citing sources familiar with the matter. Previously, shareholders were expected to vote on the deal in the spring or early summer. WBD's board unanimously accepted the amended Netflix offer, according to Tuesday's filing. The board has twice recommended that shareholders reject Paramount's hostile bid in favor of the Netflix transaction. Paramount recently sued for information in its hostile pursuit of WBD and has also launched a proxy fight, informing WBD shareholders that it intends to nominate directors for election to the Warner Bros. Discovery board at the company's annual 2026 meeting. On Tuesday WBD also filed a preliminary proxy statement seeking shareholder approval for its deal with Netflix. If the deal were to be approved, WBD's cable TV networks would be spun off into a new, publicly traded entity known as Discovery Global. Netflix reports earnings after the bell Tuesday, and investors will be looking for further updates on the sale process.