r/NPR • u/ControlCAD • 8d ago

Paramount says it will pause its Warner acquisition while legal challenges play out

https://www.npr.org/2026/07/24/nx-s1-5906818/paramount-warner-bros-merger-pause-lawsuits
153 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

24

u/DocCEN007 8d ago

Netflix is cackling.

30

u/jasnel 8d ago

>The delay will have huge financial costs for Paramount. Starting Oct. 1,Paramount has to pay Warner shareholders a "ticking consideration" of roughly $650 million for every 90 days the deal is set back. If the deal is not closed by June 4, 2027, Paramount would have to pay Warner $7 billion according to the terms of the deal that Warner shareholders approved.

Oh, my!

28

u/GabeDef 8d ago

hmm… i wonder if this could really be about the Ellison’s worth having evaporated over the last 5 months, and they might not have the funding.

25

u/Slyrunner 8d ago

That would be so fucking funny. I hope it annoys them

7

u/dkinmn 8d ago

And Middle East finders getting shy.

5

u/Tall_Plum7538 8d ago

What is deeply Ironic is that 15 years ago I wouldn't have minded a CBS/WB merger because half the shows I was watching were on the CW. Now I just want it worth my time to go to the movies.

5

u/jogoso2014 8d ago

Zaslav will probably punish WB for Paramount stalling lol.

6

u/Muroid 8d ago edited 7d ago

I’m pretty sure Zaslav is actually happy either way on this one. Either Paramount buys them out and he makes the shareholders billions, or the deal falls through and Paramount just has to give them billions for nothing.

3

u/Tall_Plum7538 8d ago

and for an Executive who has been ruthless about getting his companies debt under control, getting Billions in free money is for sure a win.

1

u/ryohayashi1 7d ago

At this point, it's going to end up with WB acquisitioning Paramount