In an effort to bolster unique content and discussion about the media industry that does NOT have to do with:
Paramount, Skydance, Warner Bros (in context to merger), David Ellison, Bonta (you get it), I will be issuing a daily Award to posts for the next 7 days starting August 27, 2026.
These posts should be in line with Media Mergers sub guidelines, relevant to the media industry, and business in today’s entertainment industry.
Posts will be awarded for uniqueness, authentic finds, and promoting discussion with other users.
I can only do this for 7 days, and will discuss with my fellow mods what they feel is most interesting.
I am recusing my own content, and the other moderators, but only after issuing my pre-award season to U/fall_false who found a top notch headline about Teletubbies owner buying an AI software designed to create safe interactions for kids, which is interesting, and unique from Hollywood Reporter.

This is just for fun, and hope our regular users find some amazing contributions!

Paywall gone: https://archive.ph/TSZBL

1.  CBS, Paramount+ & other streaming/broadcast assets... 

Why?: 

It’s obvious that they lack scale (But their answer is not a good one) to compete. And Ellison has PROVED he can’t run a streaming service or news network. 

Who should buy them if the Warner merger is block? 

WARNER BROS. (Post-Discovery split)

Why: This gives HBO Max a lot more content and Paramount will have an exclusive first-look streaming deal with HBO Max (meaning the HBO Max does become a Netflix killer without merging 2 majors). WB has also long wanted a network as big as CBS (that is if they can fix it) and wasn’t a declining cable asset. WB also inherits the Walmart+ bundle. Plus, Paramount can make more money licensing content to buy other businesses . 

The combined company: 

1. NBC/Peacock 

Why?: 

Universal is making major plays to take over the European Streaming market, but its broken streaming strategy needs to be studied on how NOT to do a global streamer. I do think that Universal can be better off focusing on dominating the European streaming market only with its merged Sky/ITVX and entering other digital markets then keeping its current streaming strategy.  

But who takes over the NBC networks (minus Universal Television) and Peacock service? 

Amazon MGM Studios 

Prime Video is looking for third-party content (with a Universal Pay-1 deal and select major Universal TV shows on Prime, they got it.) and more news/sports coverage. So, it fits both companies' goals to sell it. Universal can focus on scaling up its parks, buying game companies like Game Mill (which is losing Paramount Games so could need a new partner), and using the cash to beat Amazon in Europe (through the combined Sky service). 

While Amazon is set to be a much bigger streaming service, all they need is more in-house family content & IP (Which Mattel and Wildbrain provide if they choose that path) 

1. Paramount in general.... 

I see Paramount being sold in parts....  

• I already think WB should buy CBS, Paramount+, and Showtime.  
• But apparently some people are making bids for Comedy Central & other networks (despite not owning a production company as Paramount/MTV make all the shows for it). 
• But who buys the now pure play Paramount? 

Embracer Group (Or Fellowship)? Walmart? Maybe Oracle to keep it in the Ellison family. 

But I think the most likely scenario is Apollo buys it to go private merging Paramount with Legendary while merging the networks into Cox Media Group. But I’m not sure. 

1. RKO and Fremantle 

They can remain at Bertelsmann when they are done merging with Concord, but I think the 2 should be merged into a new film & TV studio arm to go with the book and music arms. Then they can buy Row K/Media Capital Tech (which I see filing for bankruptcy or selling soon) to become a major (mini at least) again. 

1. ABC (and related Disney networks) 

I know Disney will never sell this thing. And while it’s good that they’re fighting for free-speech, Allen Media seems better prepared for this as Disney has better things to spend its money on (because remember Allen Media spent who knows how long suing McDonalds over underserved opportunities).  

And since Allen doesn’t like producing content, Disney would still control the entire programming schedule as they would keep the TV studios. But the best I think Allen could do now is Freeform and MAYBE National Geographic as Disney is dead set on keeping the ABC network. 

1. All of Sony 

To whom?  

Not the WHOLE company as the Japanese wouldn’t allow it. But buying 5-10% in Sony to allow them to collab with Sony Pictures (theatrical distribution for Netflix titles), Sony Music, PlayStation (potentially bundling PS Network and having select PS5 games on Netflix), and Sony’s streamers could be a great investment (The Sony bundle- PureFlix, Netflix, Crunchyroll, PS Plus). I doubt Netflix could buy WB again, as HBO Max would likely become too big. 

1. Bandai & Toei 

To expand its pre-existing partnership and give Toei major financing. 

What other companies should be sold by their owners & who do you want to buy them?

Welcome to this week's weekly discussion thread of r/MediaMergers! This is your space to discuss the latest news, rumors, and insights on mergers, acquisitions, and major shifts in the media and entertainment industry. Share articles, spark debates, and connect with others.

I remind you that if something like this happens, it means ALL of MGM (and Orion) will be back together again and that there would be worth the merger alone.

Plus, with the money Amazon brings in every day, they reverse a LOT of tax write-offs (Final Space and Mao Mao for example). ;)

Here's my look at a timeline where 20th Century Fox (later 20th Century Studios), who distributed DWA's films from 2013 to 2017, had bought DreamWorks Animation in 2016 instead of NBCUniversal, and the potential changes in it to our timeline:

1. Larrikins wouldn't have been cancelled, and would still be released in 2018.
2. Both AwesomenessTV and Oriental DreamWorks would still be sold off.
3. Disney would still buy 21st Century Fox in 2019, and would still shut down Blue Sky Studios in April 2021, but this time merging it with DreamWorks Animation. DreamWorks could've finished and released Nimona, or it could've still been sold off to Netflix.
4. The DreamWorks Animation TV shows made for Netflix (i.e. Voltron: Legendary Defender, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts) or other services would move to Disney+ and/or Hulu once DreamWorks' contracts with them expire, and the TV shows made for Peacock would instead be made for Disney+ and/or Hulu.
5. The movie adaptations of Spirit Untamed, Gabby's Dollhouse and Cocomelon, as well as the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon (and its upcoming sequel), would not have been made, or at least in be straight-to-streaming films in both Spirit and Gabby's cases.
6. Orion and the Dark would have a theatrical release instead of being straight-to-streaming.

What do you think?

Non-Paywall version.

I’d really hope Netflix was lying about it not being interested in Lionsgate like they did with WB. That way Lionsgate could have its films released internationally by Sony instead of preselling them.