techcrunch.com
In a historic $82.7 billion deal, Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), bringing HBO, Warner film studios, and franchises like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones under the streaming giant’s roof. The acquisition comes after WBD struggled with debt and a competitive bidding war with Paramount, which later filed a lawsuit against the deal.
The merger faces intense regulatory scrutiny regarding antitrust concerns, with a stockholder vote expected around April and a potential closing date 12 to 18 months later. While Netflix executives have assured subscribers that immediate price hikes aren’t planned, they hinted that theatrical release windows for films may eventually shorten.
