Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros.

What to Read Next

1. Cvent to Acquire ON24 for $400 Million

2. MobiLoud Unveils AI-Powered Analytics Dashboard for Mobile App Insights

3. Avaya Chooses Gemini Enterprise & Google Workspace to Power AI Strategy

4. Optimove Launches New Email Marketing Solution

5. iMini AI Integrates Kling 2.5 Turbo & Wan 2.6 for Next-Gen AI Video Creation

Netflix, Inc. (the Company) and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, as well as HBO Max and HBO.

The cash and stock transaction is valued at $27.75 per WBD share (subject to a collar as detailed below), with a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion (equity value of $72.0 billion). 

The transaction is expected to close after the previously announced separation of WBD’s Global Networks division, Discovery Global, into a new publicly-traded company, which is now expected to be completed in Q3 2026.

ALSO READ: Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Partners With Etihad Airways

This acquisition brings together two entertainment businesses, combining Netflix’s innovation, global reach and amazing streaming service with Warner Bros.’ century-long legacy of storytelling. 

Beloved franchises, shows and movies such as The Big Bang Theory, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, The Wizard of Oz and the DC Universe will join Netflix’s extensive portfolio, including Wednesday, Money Heist, Bridgerton, Adolescence and Extraction, creating an extraordinary entertainment offering for audiences worldwide.

“Our mission has always been to entertain the world,” said Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix. 

“By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies—from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favourites like Harry Potter and Friends—with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we’ll be able to do that even better.” 

“Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.” 

ALSO READ: Understanding and Influencing Customer Behaviour Using Customer Data

Greg Peters, Co-CEO of Netflix, said, “This acquisition will improve our offering and accelerate our business for decades to come. Warner Bros. has helped define entertainment for more than a century and continues to do so with phenomenal creative executives and production capabilities.” 

“With our global reach and proven business model, we can introduce a broader audience to the worlds they create—giving our members more options, attracting more fans to our best-in-class streaming service, strengthening the entire entertainment industry and creating more value for shareholders.”

David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, said, “Today’s announcement combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love to watch the most.” 

“For more than a century, Warner Bros. has thrilled audiences, captured the world’s attention, and shaped our culture. By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come.”

Key Features

• Complementary strengths and assets: 

Warner Bros.’ studios have an established position in television and film production, while HBO and HBO Max add complementary content offerings. Netflix expects to maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films.

ALSO READ: Storytelling Fundamentally Helps Create a Human Connection

• More choice and greater value for consumers: 

By adding the deep film and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose. This also allows Netflix to optimise its plans for consumers, enhancing viewing options and expanding access to content.  

• A stronger entertainment industry: 

This acquisition will enhance Netflix’s studio capabilities, allowing the Company to significantly expand US production capacity and continue to grow investment in original content over the long term, which will create jobs and strengthen the entertainment industry. 

• More opportunities for the creative community: 

By uniting Netflix’s member experience and global reach with Warner Bros.’ renowned franchises and extensive library, the Company will create greater value for talent—offering more opportunities to work with beloved intellectual property, tell new stories and connect with a wider audience than ever before.

• More value for shareholders: 

By offering members a wider selection of quality series and films, Netflix expects to attract and retain more members, drive more engagement and generate incremental revenue and operating income. The company also expects to realise at least $2-3 billion of cost savings per year by the third year and expects the transaction to be accretive to GAAP earnings per share by year two.

ALSO READ: Integral Ad Science Brings Ad Verification To Netflix