Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Larry Ellison backs Paramount's Warner Bros. bid
Larry Ellison, a very rich person, is helping Paramount buy Warner Bros.
Discovery.
He promised to give $40.4 billion if the deal goes wrong.
This is a lot of money, even for him.
Paramount is offering $30 per share to buy Warner Bros.
Discovery.
Warner Bros.
Discovery is not sure if Paramount has enough money, so they like Netflix's offer better.
Netflix wants to buy Warner Bros.
Discovery too, but their offer is lower.
The deal might not happen if the government says no.
Both deals would make a very big company that controls a lot of TV shows and movies.
Larry Ellison is providing a $40.4 billion personal guarantee to support Paramount's bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Paramount is offering $30 per share in an all-cash deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
Warner Bros. Discovery's board is skeptical about Paramount's financing and prefers Netflix's offer.
Netflix's offer is lower at $27.75 per share but includes spinning off cable TV assets.
Regulators in the US and Europe could block the deal due to concerns about media consolidation.
- Who
- Larry Ellison, Paramount Skydance, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix
- What
- Larry Ellison is providing a $40.4 billion personal guarantee to support Paramount's bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
- When
- The tender offer expires on January 21, 2026
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To address concerns about Paramount's financing and to strengthen its bid against Netflix
Paramount's Offer
Netflix's Offer
Offer Value
Paramount's Offer
$30 per share in an all-cash deal, totaling approximately $108.4 billion including debt
Netflix's Offer
$27.75 per share, totaling $82.7 billion, with a focus on acquiring WBD’s film and television studios and streaming assets
Scope of Acquisition
Paramount's Offer
Seeks a total acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, including its linear networks like CNN, Cartoon Network, and the Discovery Channel
Netflix's Offer
Focuses on acquiring WBD’s film and television studios and streaming assets, excluding linear networks
Regulatory Reverse Termination Fee
Paramount's Offer
$5.8 billion
Netflix's Offer
Not specified in the articles
- Larry Ellison's Guarantee
- $40.4 billion in equity financing
- Paramount's Offer
- $30 per share in all-cash deal
- Regulatory Reverse Termination Fee
- $5.8 billion
- Tender Offer Expiration
- January 21, 2026
- Ellison's Net Worth
- $250 billion
- Oracle Shares in Trust
- 1.16 billion
- Netflix's Per-Share Offer
- $27.75
- Combined Netflix-Warner Bros. Subscribers
- 428 million
Sources
Why Larry Ellison is committing $40.4 bn to strengthen Paramount’s Warner Bros. acquisition bid
Larry Ellison net worth: How much does Oracle CTO earn amid buzz over $40 bn backing for son's Warner Bros bid?
