Overview
- Netflix withdrew from the contest within hours of being invited to counter, saying matching the higher price was no longer financially attractive.
- Boards of both companies unanimously approved the agreement, valuing WBD at about $77 billion in equity and over $110 billion including debt, covering HBO Max, CNN and the Warner Bros. film studio.
- Paramount Skydance agreed to cover a $2.8 billion termination fee owed to Netflix, and its offer includes a $7 billion reverse termination fee plus a $0.25-per-share quarterly ticking fee if the deal remains unclosed after Sept. 30.
- Regulatory scrutiny is expected from the Justice Department and European authorities, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office will conduct a vigorous review.
- A shareholder vote is planned for early spring, and investors reacted to the latest developments with Netflix and Paramount shares rising in after-hours trading.