David Ellison has extended his deadline for a hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery, setting a new February 20, 2026, date by which investors must accept the $108.4 billion all-cash offer. The extension comes after Paramount Skydance's previous proposal expired on January 21, amidst a lawsuit and controversy surrounding a revised Netflix deal.
As previously reported, Netflix had announced an $82.7 billion acquisition agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery in December 2025, targeting only certain assets such as film studios, New Line Cinema, HBO, and theme parks. However, Paramount Skydance countered with a significantly higher bid of $108.4 billion for the entirety of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The competition between the two companies has intensified, with Paramount accusing Netflix of receiving undue support from regulators and Warner Bros. Discovery claiming that funding for its deal is insufficient. In January, Paramount sued Warner Bros. Discovery, alleging inadequate disclosure about why it preferred to pursue a hostile takeover bid.
Despite the odds against him, David Ellison remains hopeful that investors will approve his offer. This comes after the successful merger of Skydance with Paramount using billionaire Larry Ellison's financial backing and his friendly relationship with the Trump administration.
The prospect of merging Warner Bros. Discovery with Paramount Skydance has sparked concerns about regulatory approval due to potential antitrust issues. However, Paramount argues that its deal would be less likely to face opposition from regulators, as it does not entrench Netflix's market dominance.
The FCC approved the merger between Skydance and Paramount in 2022, citing promises to implement diversity and inclusion measures. Whether a similar approval will be forthcoming for this bid remains to be seen.
As previously reported, Netflix had announced an $82.7 billion acquisition agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery in December 2025, targeting only certain assets such as film studios, New Line Cinema, HBO, and theme parks. However, Paramount Skydance countered with a significantly higher bid of $108.4 billion for the entirety of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The competition between the two companies has intensified, with Paramount accusing Netflix of receiving undue support from regulators and Warner Bros. Discovery claiming that funding for its deal is insufficient. In January, Paramount sued Warner Bros. Discovery, alleging inadequate disclosure about why it preferred to pursue a hostile takeover bid.
Despite the odds against him, David Ellison remains hopeful that investors will approve his offer. This comes after the successful merger of Skydance with Paramount using billionaire Larry Ellison's financial backing and his friendly relationship with the Trump administration.
The prospect of merging Warner Bros. Discovery with Paramount Skydance has sparked concerns about regulatory approval due to potential antitrust issues. However, Paramount argues that its deal would be less likely to face opposition from regulators, as it does not entrench Netflix's market dominance.
The FCC approved the merger between Skydance and Paramount in 2022, citing promises to implement diversity and inclusion measures. Whether a similar approval will be forthcoming for this bid remains to be seen.
just had this thought - if David Ellison can make a big deal with Skydance and Paramount work out back then... why is it so hard to get approval from the FCC now? 
seems like there's more at play here than just who makes the best bid 
also wondering what's really going on with Netflix trying to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery - they already have some of their stuff, but does this deal make sense for them too? 
david ellison is like, super optimistic that investors will bite on his $108.4 billion offer and it's actually kinda cool that he's got the larry ellison effect going for him with the financial backing from a billionaire friend of the trump administration 
i mean, who doesn't love a good corporate showdown? 
and despite all the antitrust concerns, i think it's awesome that ellison's team is pushing back against netflix's market dominance vibes - it's like they're saying, "hey, we're not just gonna let one company own everything!" 
. fingers crossed for david ellison's offer to get approved in february 2026! 
the regulators are gonna have a field day trying to figure out if this deal is anti trust compliant or not 
can't these companies just get along for once? 
. I mean, who extends a deadline after already making it clear they want the deal done? David Ellison is either super confident in his offer or completely delusional 
. And what's up with all these lawsuits and controversies? It's like no one can even agree on how to do business anymore 
.
. The fact that Paramount is accusing Netflix of getting special treatment from regulators is super suspicious 
. It's like they're trying to spin the whole thing to their advantage 
. on a side note, did you know that larry ellison's connection to trump is actually pretty fascinating? apparently, they had some secret meetings about the skydance merger and it was all very shady 
. On a serious note though, regulators gotta keep an eye on these big deals. The last thing we need is a monopoly on the entertainment industry 
. Guess only time will tell if Ellison's bid gets the green light 
Only time will tell if these two companies can pull off what they're proposing...
. david ellison is taking a huge risk with his $108.4 billion offer, but he believes in himself and his team 
. I'm curious to see how this all shakes out, but at this point, i'd say paramount skydance is looking like the more solid choice 
.
meanwhile, netflix is getting roasted for receiving favors from regulators 
. I mean, I know David Ellison thinks he can convince investors to go with him, but let me tell you, it's a tough sell. The competition between Paramount and Netflix is fierce, and both companies are throwing all the cards on the table. 
I'm not sure which way it'll all shake out, but I do know one thing - if this deal goes through, we'll be seeing some big changes in the entertainment industry 
.
. But at the same time I can see why Netflix would want to get in on this deal - they do have an amazing library of content 
️. Anyone else feeling overwhelmed by all these business deals and mergers? 
. It's like, can't he make up his mind already? 
I'm not saying it'll happen, but I think investors should be careful about what they're getting into 
And let's not forget, there's already a big player in town - Netflix 
- I mean, who needs that kind of stress in their life? And Paramount Skydance suing Warner Bros. Discovery over Netflix deal drama is just too much... like, can we just focus on the gadgets and forget about corporate politics for a sec 
?
. Let's keep an eye on this developing story, folks!