February 27, 2026, 5:19 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Netflix has decided not to increase its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, as Paramount has made a higher offer. Netflix emphasizes that while the deal is strategically sensible, it is financially unattractive under the current conditions.
There are new developments in the takeover battle for Warner Bros. Discovery. Netflix has decided not to raise its bid further after Paramount presented an improved offer. This changes the balance of power in the bidding process, even though no final decision has been made yet. This is now reported by the U.S. industry magazine “Variety.”
Netflix Sets Clear Boundaries
Warner Bros. has deemed Paramount’s updated offer as “superior.” For Netflix, this marks a financial limit. The streaming giant stated that the deal is no longer financially attractive in light of the new offer. Therefore, its own bid will not be increased. Netflix is currently offering around $83 billion for Warner’s film studios and streaming business.
Paramount, on the other hand, has made an offer of $108.4 billion for the entire Warner Bros. Discovery group, including TV channels such as CNN. Despite Paramount’s higher offer, Warner’s board of directors continues to recommend accepting Netflix’s offer.
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Final Vote Soon
After the U.S. stock market closed, Warner announced that shareholders are to vote on the next steps on March 20. Previously, Warner and Netflix had entered into a binding acquisition agreement for the studio and streaming business. Shortly thereafter, Paramount made a comprehensive offer for the entire group.
The existing agreement with Netflix remains in place for now. Paramount has directly approached shareholders to make its comprehensive offer appealing.
Netflix Defends Strategic Direction
Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters explain their company’s strategic approach. They emphasize that the negotiated transaction would have created value for shareholders and provided a clear path to regulatory approval.
In a joint statement, they said: “However, we have always acted with discipline. And at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive.” They concluded by clarifying that the deal is “nice to have” at the right price, but not a “must have.”