arstechnica.com
Netflix has won the bidding war to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming and studio business for $72 billion. The deal, expected to close after WBD splits its streaming/studio and TV network divisions by Q3 2026, is subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Netflix anticipates significant subscriber growth, engagement, and $2-3 billion in annual cost savings by the third year, leveraging its global reach to expand WB content’s audience. The acquisition, potentially transforming Netflix into an entertainment giant, includes HBO Max. The future of current WBD staff, including CEO David Zaslav, remains unspecified, though Gunnar Wiedenfels is expected to lead Discovery Global post-split.
