As Netflix's reported $82.7 billion plan to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's film and television assets continues to progress, observers are delving into further details behind the massive potential transaction.
In a surprising revelation, a Bloomberg report indicates that Netflix previously explored an acquisition of Disney. Had such a deal materialized, Netflix would have instantly gained control of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and even Disney's theme parks and cruise line operations, fundamentally reshaping the entire entertainment industry.
Sources suggest that Netflix had been actively seeking major acquisition targets for some time, with both Disney and video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) on their radar. However, EA ultimately opted to go private with investors, a move that drew considerable controversy due to the involvement of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Netflix ultimately abandoned its pursuit of Disney due to several key concerns. Insiders revealed that Netflix co-founder and chairman Reed Hastings has historically shied away from large-scale mergers, favoring an approach of "building from the ground up." Furthermore, Netflix executives reportedly failed to reach a consensus on the acquisition, wary of the risk of "overpaying for undervalued assets and negatively impacting stock performance."
Now, Netflix has reportedly shifted its focus to Warner Bros. Discovery. Should the deal successfully close, the company would officially gain ownership of Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO, DC Studios, and world-renowned intellectual properties including "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings."
This potential merger is seen as a significant step for Netflix into the theatrical market, sparking concerns that the streamer aims to diminish the role of traditional cinemas and establish a colossal "Netflix + Warner + HBO" streaming behemoth. Many commentators predict that such a massive expansion of platform content would inevitably lead to further subscription price hikes.
The proposed Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal remains subject to regulatory review. This seismic shift in the entertainment industry is poised to reshape the entire Hollywood landscape for years to come.
via： Bloomberg