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WBD: News
Website
WBD
(Warner Bros. Discovery)
MAX
Studio
News
Warner
Bros. Discovery
October
12, 2025 onwards - Developing News
Warner
Bros. Discovery sale talks heat up after initial Paramount
bid rejected
Paramount,
backed by billionaire Larry Ellison, has made a bid
to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal that would
dramatically reshape Hollywood.
Warner
Bros. Discovery’s board rejected the initial
$20-per-share offer, but negotiations continue as
Paramount prepares a second bid.
The
potential merger would combine iconic brands including
HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros. studio, with Warner Bros.
Discovery valued at $42 billion.
Paramount,
backed by billionaire Larry Ellison and his family,
has officially opened the bidding for rival Warner
Bros. Discovery — a potential massive merger
that would dramatically change Hollywood.
Warner
Bros. Discovery’s board rejected Paramount’s
initial bid of about $20 a share, but talks are continuing,
according to two people close to the companies who
were not authorized to speak publicly.
One
of the knowledgeable sources said Paramount was preparing
a second bid.
Warner
Bros. Discovery owns HBO, CNN, TBS, Food Network,
HGTV and the prolific Warner Bros. movie and television
studio in Burbank.
Developing
news story.
News
Warner
Bros. Discovery (via Grok)
Warner
Bros. Discovery (WBD) is a global media and entertainment
company formed in 2022 through the merger of WarnerMedia
and Discovery, Inc. It operates a diverse portfolio,
including Warner Bros. film and TV studios, HBO, Max
streaming service, CNN, TNT, and Discovery Channel,
broadcasting in over 220 countries and 50 languages.
The company is navigating a challenging media landscape
with a focus on debt reduction, streaming growth,
and operational efficiency.
Recent
Financial Performance
Stock
Price: As of October 15, 2025, WBD's stock price is
$17.98, up 67.9% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks
Broadcast Radio and Television industry (30.4%) and
the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector (4.7%). However,
it remains 9.7% below its 52-week high of $20.24.
Market
Cap: Approximately $42.34 billion.
Debt:
The company carries a significant debt load of around
$30–$35.6 billion, a key concern post-merger.
Q3
2025: Revenue declines and net losses persist, driven
by challenges in linear TV and post-merger integration.
However, the Max streaming service shows growth potential.
Strategic
Developments
Corporate
Restructuring: WBD plans to split into two entities
by mid-2026: Warner Bros. (studios and streaming,
including HBO and Max) and Discovery Global (linear
networks like CNN, TNT, and Discovery+). This aims
to unlock value through focused operations but introduces
near-term uncertainty.
Takeover
Talks: WBD rejected a $20-per-share acquisition offer
from Paramount Skydance, deeming it too low. Reports
suggest Paramount, possibly with Apollo Global Management,
may increase its bid or approach shareholders directly.
The potential merger could consolidate major assets
like CNN and CBS News but faces regulatory and union
scrutiny.
Streaming
and Content: WBD is enhancing Max, though it will
discontinue CNN Max on November 17, 2025, and integrate
CNN’s new streaming service into an All Access
subscription. Subscriber feedback highlights concerns
over streaming quality and content mix.
Gaming
Portfolio: A potential Paramount acquisition could
expand Skydance’s gaming assets, including WBD’s
Avalanche Software (Hogwarts Legacy), Rocksteady Studios
(Batman Arkham series), and TT Games (LEGO series).
Market
and Industry Context:
WBD operates in a competitive media environment dominated
by Netflix (280M+ subscribers) and Amazon. Its stock
trades at a low 1.2 times sales, reflecting skepticism
about its linear TV assets, but the recent rally suggests
market optimism around takeover rumors and restructuring.
(Yahoo! Finance)
Analyst
Views:
Citigroup raised its price target, boosting shares,
while KeyBanc sees a takeover bid as positive but
notes challenges with debt and regulatory hurdles.
CFRA highlights execution risks in the planned split.
Volatility:
WBD’s stock is highly volatile, with 24 moves
exceeding 5% in the past year, indicating sensitivity
to news like takeover bids.
Recent
News
NHL
on TNT: WBD secured a deal extension featuring Wayne
Gretzky, potentially offsetting the loss of Inside
the NBA.
Takeover
Speculation: David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance
is reportedly focusing on WBD’s studio and streaming
assets, with no clear role for WBD CEO David Zaslav
in a potential deal.
Consumer
Impact: A potential merger could reduce competition
and lead to layoffs, raising concerns for consumers
and the industry.
Investment
Considerations
Upside:
The planned split and potential acquisition could
unlock value, particularly for WBD’s studio and
streaming divisions. The stock’s low valuation
may appeal to value investors.
Risks:
High debt, declining linear TV revenue, and execution
risks in restructuring pose challenges. Regulatory
resistance and deal uncertainty could pressure the
stock.
Analyst
Sentiment: Mixed, with a “Hold” rating from
some analysts due to deal risks and financial challenges,
though others see upside in a sum-of-the-parts valuation.
News
WBD
A Gold Mine For The Right Investor At The Right Price.
All parties need to win, and the end consumers needs
to be satisfied with the end result for it to be sustainable
across the board. (Media Man Group/Media Man Int)
WBD
splitting up cable, streaming businesses
June
2025
Warner
Bros. Discovery is splitting itself into “two
stand-alone publicly traded entertainment companies,”
separating its HBO Max streaming service, movie studio
and TV production business from its cable networks.
One company “will be home to CNN, TNT, TBS and
Warner’s dozens of cable channels, as well as
its international holdings.” That entity, called
Global Networks for now, will “hold as much as
a 20% stake in the second entity,” which WBD
is referring to as Streaming & Studios. It plans
to “use earnings from that stake to pay off debt.”
The move “effectively undoes much of Warner Media
and Discovery Communications’ 2022 merger,”
separating Warner’s marquee film and TV from
Discovery’s reality and nonfiction fare. WBD
President & CEO David Zaslav will remain
as CEO of the Streaming & Studios company, while
CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels will serve as CEO of Global
Networks. Besides its U.S. cable assets, Global Networks
will also “house the Discovery+ streaming service,
CNN’s planned streaming service and U.S. sports
properties, including Bleacher Report” (WALL
STREET JOURNAL, 6/9). All of the sports rights “will
remain with TNT even though HBO, the streaming service,
does air certain games” (“Squawk Box,”
CNBC, 6/9).
Streaming
Business
MAX
To Launch In Australia This Month
Warner
Bros. Discovery has announced that a new streaming
service, Max, will be available Down Under in Australia
from March 31, 2025.
The
streamer will offer content from HBO, Warner Bros,
the DC Universe, Harry Potter and Discovery, as well
as Cartoon Network, TLC, ID, HGTV and more.
Foxtel
subscribers will have access to the Max app at no
additional cost.
“We’ve
been clear that the globalisation of Max is a top
priority, and Australia represents one of our biggest
new markets and a significant opportunity to delight
even more fans with the incredible stories told by
our iconic brands,” JB Perrette, the CEO and
President of Global Streaming and Games at WBD, said
in a statement.
“Combining
an unrivalled breadth of high-quality content, legendary
franchises and a strong product experience, Australians
can look forward to the highest-calibre streaming
proposition from March 31.”
It
will be the new Aussie home of HBO Originals and Max
Originals, whose catalogues include hits such as The
Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Euphoria and the
Sex And the City spin-off And Just Like That.
Highly
anticipated new shows such the horror series It: Welcome
to Derry and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a prequel
from the world of Game of Thrones will be available
upon release.
Subscribers
will also be able to enjoy films from Warner Bros.
Pictures, including recent blockbusters Beetlejuice,
Beetlejuice and Twisters, alongside other fan favourites
including Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and the
DC Universe.
From
March 31, Max will be available for subscription at
www.max.com and via app stores, including the Apple
Store and Google Play Store and will be viewable on
all major devices such as mobile, tablet, gaming consoles
and connected TV, including Hubbl.
In
another positive news for the brand, WBD also announced
a launch partnership with Foxtel, providing Foxtel
subscribers with access to the Max app at no additional
cost (provided they have a compatible Foxtel IQ box).
“WBD
has a long history in Australia, and we know our world-class
content from HBO, Warner Bros., Discovery and more
is incredibly popular with audiences here,” Michael
Brooks, the General Manager WBD Australia and New
Zealand, added in the same statement.
“We
have a clear strategy to maximise reach through our
direct-to-consumer app and distribution partnerships,
and our collaboration with Foxtel at launch is a testament
to that.
“We
can’t wait for fans across the country to experience
Max.”
Media
Man Int
Streaming
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https://www.mediamanint.com/streaming_news.html
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https://www.mediamanint.com/australian_news.html
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https://mediamanstreaming.blogspot.com/
News
Warner
Bros. Discovery & AEW to Establish New Era of
Professional Wrestling with Multi-Year, Multi-Platform
Media Rights Renewal
WBD
Networks to Continue to Be Home to Fan-Favorites AEW
Dynamite and AEW Collision, with Simulcast Streaming
on Max for First Time Starting January 2025
AEW Pay-Per-View Events to Be Distributed on Max at
Discounted Price For Subscribers
Warner Bros. Discovery and All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
today announced a multi-year renewal of their highly
successful five-year relationship with an expansive
multi-platform media rights agreement that will provide
fans with the widest available access ever to AEW’s
most popular programming.
WBD’s networks and platforms will remain the
exclusive home of AEW Dynamite (Wednesdays on TBS)
and AEW Collision (Saturdays on TNT), with enhanced
distribution rights across social platforms as well
as building opportunities for additional AEW programming
for linear and digital platforms in the future.
Additionally, for the first time, all AEW Dynamite
and AEW Collision programming starting January 2025
will stream live exclusively on Max (U.S. subscribers
only). All AEW programming airing on WBD’s networks
will also be available to stream on demand on Max.
AEW and WBD will also collaborate to distribute AEW
live pay-per-view events on Max at a discounted price
per event, with all marketing and promotions of those
PPV events exclusively centered on Max. AEW PPV distribution
on Max will begin later in 2025, with additional information
and pricing to be shared in the coming months.
“Tony Khan and the entire AEW team have been
incredible partners, and we are thrilled to strike
this expanded agreement to deliver amazing new AEW
content and stories to TNT and TBS, as well as bring
the thrilling live action to Max for the first time,”
said Kathleen Finch, Chairman and CEO of US Networks,
WBD. “We are focused on creating fresh and authentic
experiences for AEW’s passionate and engaged
fanbase while also introducing them to our growing
lineup of high-action sports and entertainment at
TNT and beyond.”
“We are honored to announce the extension of
our incredible partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery,”
said AEW CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan. “This
extension continues the tradition of iconic wrestling
events broadcast on TBS and TNT, while also establishing
a new legacy for AEW through weekly live streams on
Max for years to come. We thank David Zaslav, Kathleen
Finch and everyone at WBD for their tireless support
of All Elite Wrestling since its inception, as well
as the AEW fans, talent and staff that helped make
this possible.”
Since
its inaugural year in 2019, AEW has collaborated with
WBD to build a next-generation, pro-wrestling franchise
with captivating stories, dynamic and diverse characters,
and energetic events all year round. AEW programming
has reached more than 33 million fans this year across
TBS and TNT, with AEW Dynamite on TBS ranking as Wednesday’s
#1 cable entertainment program among P18-49. AEW Collision
also ranks among the top 5 programs in its Saturday
time slot among P18-49 and M18-49.
The
addition of AEW’s popular programming on Max
adds to an already robust slate of live programming
available to U.S. subscribers, including CNN Max —
a 24/7 live news stream featuring live news and programming,
and in-depth reporting of all of the biggest news
each day and the upcoming U.S. election cycle from
CNN’s global news team; and, the B/R Sports Add-on,
featuring live coverage of the upcoming MLB postseason,
NHL and NBA regular seasons, NCAA Men's March Madness,
US Men’s & Women’s National Team soccer
matches, Bellator MMA, Mountain West college football,
MotoGP, FIA World Endurance Championship, world cycling,
and — in 2025 — NASCAR, Roland-Garros tennis,
and BIG EAST men’s and women’s college basketball.
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner
Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment
company that creates and distributes the world's most
differentiated and complete portfolio of branded content
across television, film, streaming and gaming. Available
in more than 220 countries and territories and 50
languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs
and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic
brands and products including: Discovery Channel,
Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO,
HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery,
TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel,
MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner
Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television
Group, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Warner Bros.
Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim,
Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español,
Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please
visit www.wbd.com.
About AEW
Founded
by CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan in 2019,
AEW is a red-hot professional wrestling promotion
featuring a world-class roster that is injecting new
spirit, freshness and energy into the industry. “AEW
Dynamite” airs every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m.
ET on TBS, “AEW Rampage” airs every Friday
from 10-11 p.m. ET on TNT, and “AEW Collision”
airs every Saturday from 8-10 p.m. ET on TNT. AEW’s
multi-platform content also includes “AEW Unrestricted,”
a weekly podcast series. For more info, check out
Twitter.com/AEW; Instagram.com/AEW;
YouTube.com/AEW;
Facebook.com/AEW
News
WBD
announces Global Experiences division
September
2024
In
Case You Missed It
Bruce
Campbell, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer of Warner
Bros Discovery (WBD), has announced a new global structure
for the company’s worldwide studio tours, retail
destinations, touring exhibitions, and all location-based
experiences, bringing together the existing licensed
entertainment and owned and operated teams into a
single worldwide division.
WBD
Global Experiences will be charged with strategically
expanding the company’s fan facing experiences
and pursuing new businesses that capitalise on the
company’s intellectual property like those with
Universal Destinations & Experiences and Miral,
and its operated businesses including Warner Bros
Studio Tours in Watford, Hollywood and Tokyo.
“WBD
has an incredible mix of location-based experiences
for fans around the world, from theme parks and tours
to exhibits, retail and more,” said Campbell.
“Bringing these two teams together under one
roof gives us an opportunity to leverage and coordinate
the talent and resources across all of our experiential
businesses to better delight our consumers through
offering even more truly authentic and engaging in-person
experiences and events in every market.”
WBD
Global Experiences combines the company’s existing
Global Themed Entertainment licensing group, and the
Studio Tours & Retail owned and operated division
into a new unified division. The new team will develop
and execute on global strategies that offer partners
a mix of both models, putting WBD in a position to
drive growth in the creation, development, licensing
and operating of location-based entertainment inspired
by Harry Potter, DC, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Game
of Thrones, Friends, Discovery and more.
Simon
Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of WBD Studios will
add leadership of WBD Global Experiences to his responsibilities.
He will report to Campbell for Experiences and will
continue reporting into WBD’s Chief Financial
Officer Gunnar Wiendenfels for his studio and content
operations and financial roles.
Robinson
has appointed two veterans to his new Experiences
organisation who will report to him: Firstly, Peter
van Roden, Executive Vice President, Global Themed
Entertainment, will continue in his role leading the
licensed location-based entertainment and theme parks
businesses as well as the division’s global business
development. His team will continue to manage the
partnership with Universal Destinations & Experiences
for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations,
Miral for Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and The WB Abu
Dhabi, and the company’s other licensed exhibitions.
And Sarah Roots, Executive Vice President, Worldwide
Studio Tours & Retail, will continue in her role
leading WBD’s owned and operated experiences
including the award-winning Warner Bros. Studio Tour
– The Making of Harry Potter, the Warner Bros
Studio Tour Hollywood and the Harry Potter flagship
and other retail stores.
In
announcing the Global Experiences leadership team,
Robinson said: “Peter and Sarah are experts in
curating and executing global location-based experiences
at the very highest caliber. Our teams have an obsession
for detail that we bring to each project and together,
we will be able to bring partners – and fans
– even more of what they’ve come to expect
from a Warner Bros experience.”
Media
Man
Movie
Streaming (United States)
July
11 - 17, 2024
1.
If - Paramount+
2.
The Beekeeper - Prime Video
3.
Hillbilly Elegy - Netflix
4.
Twister - Max
5.
X - Kanopy
6.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F - Netflix
7.
Pearl - Prime Video
8.
Monkey Man - Peacock
9.
Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire - Max
10.
A Quiet Place - Paramount+
Feature
NetherRealm
Studios - Warner
Bros.
Games
Injustice:
Gods Among Us
Profiles
Superman
Batman
Comics
Hollywood
Movies
Human
Statue Bodyart: Superheroes
Human
Statue Bodyart: Gaming
Websites
NetherRealm
Studios Warner
Bros.
Injustice:
Gods Among Us DC
Comics Human
Statue Bodyart Human
Entertainment
Profiles
Superman
Batman
Comics
Hollywood
Movies
Human
Statue Bodyart: Superheroes
Human
Statue Bodyart: Gaming Human
Statue Bodyart: Brands
News
Human
Statue Bodyart contracted to create DC Comics superheroes:
Wonder-Woman and the Green Lantern; To appear in Injustice
video game promotions and commercials
Injustice:
Gods Among Us
Human
Statue Bodyart contracted to create DC Comics
bodyart creations: Sydney, Australia
Human Statue Bodyart (creation of the Injustice: Gods
Among Us superheroes)
Websites
DC
Comics Human
Statue Bodyart
Profiles
Superheroes
Movies
Hollywood
Batman
Wonder
Woman Superman
The
Flash The
Sandman
Watchmen
The
Joker Green
Lantern
News
Profile
DC
Comics is the largest and most diverse English language
publisher of comic books in the world. Founded in
1934 as National Allied Publications, the company
that would one day become DC Comics virtually created
the comic book, publishing the first comic of all
original material. Then, in the spring of 1938, the
first super hero story appeared in ACTION COMICS #1,
introducing SUPERMAN. Other soon-to-be icons would
follow, including BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, GREEN LANTERN,
THE FLASH and many others. Today, DC Comics publishes
more than 80 titles a month and close to 1000 issues
a year. DC has several imprints spanning the gamut
of graphic storytelling: The DC Universe is the home
of DC's peerless roster of super heroes; Vertigo caters
to a more mature, literary readership; WildStorm offers
a bold alternative take on heroic and adventure comics;
CMX brings some of Japan's best-loved manga to American
audiences; and Zuda Comics is DC's innovative web
imprint. DC is also the home of MAD Magazine, the
best-known humor magazine in America. DC Comics is
a division of Time Warner, the largest entertainment
company in the world.
Profile
DC
Comics (founded originally in 1934 as National Allied
Publications) is one of the largest and most popular
American comic book and related media companies, along
with Marvel Comics. A subsidiary of Warner
Bros. Entertainment since 1969, DC Comics produces
material featuring a large number of well-known characters,
including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash,
Green Lantern and the Justice League.
The initials "DC" came from the company's
popular series, Detective Comics, which subsequently
became part of the company's official name. DC Comic's
official headquarters are at 1700 Broadway, 7th, New
York, New York. Random House distributes DC Comics'
books to the bookstore market, while Diamond Comics
Distributors supplies the comics shop specialty market.
History
Origins
Entrepreneur
Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's National Allied
Publications debuted with the tabloid-sized New Fun:
The Big Comic Magazine #1 in February 1935. The company's
second title, New Comics #1 (December 1935), was published
at a size close to what would become comic books'
standard during the period fans and historians call
the Golden Age of Comic Books, with slightly larger
dimensions than today's. That title evolved into Adventure
Comics, which continued through issue #503 in 1983,
becoming one of the longest-running comic book series.
His third and final title, Detective Comics, advertised
with a cover illustration dated December 1936, eventually
premiering three months late with a March 1937 cover
date. The themed anthology series would become a sensation
with the introduction of Batman in issue #27 (May
1939). By then, however, Wheeler-Nicholson had gone.
In 1937, in debt to printing-plant owner and magazine
distributor Harry Donenfeld — who was as well
a pulp-magazine publisher and a principal in the magazine
distributorship Independent News — Wheeler-Nicholson
was compelled to take Donenfeld on as a partner in
order to publish Detective #1. Detective Comics, Inc.
was formed, with Wheeler-Nicholson and Jack S. Liebowitz,
Donenfeld's accountant, listed as owners. Major Wheeler-Nicholson
remained for a year, but cash-flow problems continued,
and he was forced out. Shortly afterward, Detective
Comics Inc. purchased the remains of National Allied,
also known as Nicholson Publishing, at a bankruptcy
auction.
Detective Comics Inc. shortly launched a fourth title,
Action Comics, the premiere of which introduced Superman
(a character with which Wheeler-Nicholson had no direct
involvement; editor Vin Sullivan chose to run the
feature after Sheldon Mayer rescued it from the slush
pile). Action Comics #1 (June 1938), the first comic
book to feature the new character archetype soon to
be called superheroes, proved a major sales hit. The
company quickly introduced such other popular characters
as the Sandman and Batman.
2000's
In
March 2003, DC acquired publishing and merchandising
rights to the long-running fantasy series Elfquest,
previously self-published by creators Wendy and Richard
Pini under their WaRP Graphics publication banner.
This series then followed the Tower Comics series
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents in becoming non-DC titles published
in the "DC Archives" format. In 2004, DC
temporarily acquired the North American publishing
rights to graphic novels from European publishers
2000 AD and Humanoids. It also rebranded its younger-audience
titles with the mascot Johnny DC, and established
the CMX imprint to reprint translated manga. In 2006,
CMX took over publication - from Dark Horse Comics
- publication of the webcomic Megatokyo in print form.
DC also took advantage of the demise of Kitchen Sink
Press and acquired the rights to much of the work
of the renowned creator, Will Eisner, such as his
The Spirit series and his acclaimed graphic novels.
Starting in 2004, DC began laying groundwork for a
full continuity-reshuffling sequel to Crisis on Infinite
Earths, promising substantial changes to the DC Universe
(and side-stepping the 1994 Zero Hour event which
similarly tried to ret-con the history of the DCU).
In 2005, the company published several limited series
establishing increasingly escalated conflicts among
DC's heroes, with events climaxing in the Infinite
Crisis limited series. Immediately after this event,
DC's ongoing series jumped forward a full year in
their in-story continuity, as DC launched a weekly
series, 52, to gradually fill in the missing time.
Concurrently, DC lost the copyright to "Superboy"
(while retaining the trademark) when the heirs of
Jerry Seigel used a provision of the 1976 revision
to the copyright law to regain ownership. Although
DC appealed the ruling, it is widely believed that
this was the reason for Conner Kent (also known as
Superboy)'s death during the Infinite Crisis limited
series.
In 2005, DC launched a new "All-Star" line
(evoking the title of the 1940s publication), designed
to feature some of the company's best-known characters
in stories that eschewed the long and convoluted continuity
of the DC Universe, produced by "all star"
creative teams.. All-Star Batman & Robin the Boy
Wonder launched in July 2005, with All-Star Superman
beginning in November 2005. All-Star Wonder Woman
and All Star Batgirl were announced in 2006, but neither
have been released or scheduled as of the beginning
of 2009.
In April 2008, the videogame company Midway released
the eighth version of its Mortal Kombat fighting-game
franchise, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, which featured
DC superheroes and supervillians as half of the playable
characters. (Credit:
Wikipedia)
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