"Many in Hollywood have assumed for months that David Ellison's Paramount has the inside track. Ellison seems to have a strong relationship with President Donald Trump and is backed by his father Larry Ellison's astronomical wealth. However, Comcast and Netflix are also suitors for WBD's movie studio and streaming business. And while Netflix may not need those assets, several media analysts believe Comcast does. Rich Greenfield of LightShed Partners led this charge with a trio of late October notes, and he's far from alone."
""We believe it's time for Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts to make a bold move to change the narrative around Comcast," Greenfield wrote. He also said buying WBD would be "a once-in-a-generation opportunity" for Roberts and Comcast. Brandon Katz of entertainment data provider Greenlight Analytics also thinks the NBCUniversal parent needs WBD. He told Business Insider that "it's clear that NBCU has the most to gain in raw streaming upside from a WBD acquisition.""
"If NBCU and Peacock's parent company can add Warner Bros. Studios and HBO to its arsenal, it could become a media powerhouse that could challenge the likes of Disney. "Comcast has always had Disney envy, and now it has a clear opportunity to create a Disney-like story, with an asset mix that could be even more compelling than Disney," Greenfield wrote. Comcast declined to comment, and WBD didn't respond to requests for comment."
A bidding contest for Warner Bros. Discovery involves Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix. David Ellison’s Paramount benefits from strong political ties to President Donald Trump and substantial financial backing from Larry Ellison. Comcast and Netflix have also expressed acquisition interest. Comcast stands to gain significant streaming scale by combining Warner Bros. Studios and HBO Max with NBCUniversal and Peacock, enabling global expansion and a stronger content portfolio to challenge Disney. Netflix has less strategic need for Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets. The transaction could change Comcast’s narrative and represent a once-in-a-generation strategic opportunity for its leadership.
Read at Business Insider
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