Netflix Reportedly Agrees to Buy WB
I'm sure Robert will eventually put this on the front page, but I thought I would kick off a discussion on what is likely the biggest story in the entertainment industry in 2025.
Reports this morning have outlined a potential $83 BILLION deal for Netflix to acquire all of WB/Discovery. Both Comcast/Universal and Paramount were rumored to have submitted bids for the floundering studio, but fell far short of what Netflix was willing to pay.
Obviously this has a massive impact on the theme park world because it puts a lot of valuable IPs under the control of Netflix, who currently have only dabble a bit into the live entertainment/destination industry.
I think most theme park fans were hoping that Comcast/Universal could get ahold of WB so they could tap and have better control of IPs that would help Comcast's theme park division go head to head with Disney (like DC, LotR, Looney Toons, and HP). While Netflix acquiring WB doesn't necessarily prevent Universal from licensing those (or other) IPs in their theme parks, it obviously would have been easier and more convenient if the WB IPs were in-house and not under control of a company that just spent nearly $100 billion and will be looking to break even on this massive acquisition.
Replies (18)
Netflix has deep pockets and will be fine.
But the big issue is that the current clown in office might throw a hissy fit between naps and say No they can't buy it....
Chad is funny:
"Of course we all know this is a part of an elaborate scheme by The Brain to take control of humanity through subliminal messaging that will appear in the soon to be uploaded Animaniacs back catalogue."
I just hope Artemis Fowl IP going into theme parks in not affected.
Can we list the assets of Warner Bros?
Wasn't it Time Warner years ago?
@NB: Yeah Disney absolutely failed on the Artemis Fowl IP. The books by Ireland's Eoin Colfer were tremendous. Disney screwed up the film (it was terrible) undermining any hope for the IP to get a park footprint.
Not sure what that has to do with Netflix stealing WB, et al out from under Comcast ... but, carry on!
Warner bros. Is going to be Harry Potter, D.C. comics, Looney Tunes, big bang theory, LotR, and pretty much everything on HBO. For those of you keeping track at home, Six Flags already has the rights to Looney Tunes and D.C., and I don't know how long until they need to renew those rights, or if it's in perpetuity.
I'm not too worried about the purchase. To my knowledge, the only Netflix I.P. before the purchase of WB that was meaningfully implemented into any park was Stranger Things at HHN. Netflix already has a relationship with Universal, at least to an extent. So I'm incredibly hopeful that we could see LotR as a 5th portal or other expansion of some sort.
>>and pretty much everything on HBO
Ride the Cary Bradshaw Rollercoaster, and Just Like That (tm) You'll be able to experience the ups and downs of her relationships...
Yes! LoTR as a portal! Finally! That way a Universal park could have an attraction/portal featuring a dragons
Whilst we wait and see what the impact is to the theme park industry with the distribution of licenced IPs the acquisition certainly propels Netflix as the leading streaming service by some distance for content. No doubt we will all pay a hefty premium with our monthly subscriptions both sides of the pond but it will be worth it. Oh to be a Board member at Prime and Disney+.
@Velocicoaster Fan: on one point I beg to differ with you my friend. Stranger Things is massive for sure, but do not discount the popularity of K-Pop: Demon Hunters. The franchise is immensely popular, the songs are actually great (trust me, my 4-year old makes it a point to have them in regular rotation), and the franchise has already announced expansion with a sequel on the way and the possibility of spinoffs on the table too. But that property has possibilities out the ‘waz for theme park implementation.
A big issue for me is what Netflix plans to do with theatrical exhibitions. We can talk about theme parks all day, but if the theatrical screenings go by the wayside, that will be very bad for Disney, Universal, Paramount, and Sony. Netflix had to keep Paramount from getting WD and strangling their streaming. The problem is many companies put too much faith in streaming and cut back on physical sales, so theatrical is very important. If Netflix cuts off theatrical, it will be very bad for Disney and Universal. Since all is connected, Disney can bring people back to the theater with the original Star Wars films, and the others need to step it up. The Netflix deal is bad.
ThH- I know you're being sarcastic, but LotR doesn't have any dragons in it, besides Smaug, but that's technically The Hobbit. Also, Lord of the rings is more medieval architecture than Harry Potter's Gothic/modern blend and HTTYD's Viking art style. I think a land could work without being redundant.
Fattyackin- you're not wrong, I watched Kpop demon hunters and was genuinely impressed. But I think that'd serve better as a stage show in DreamWorks Land or an expansion to Universal Kids than a portal. I was just bringing up Stranger things as an example of how Universal has a relationship with Netflix already.
>> A big issue for me is what Netflix plans to do with theatrical exhibitions. We can talk about theme parks all day, but if the theatrical screenings go by the wayside, that will be very bad for Disney, Universal, Paramount, and Sony.
I think that is fear mongers tbh fed by sore losers. I don’t remember hearing this panic when Amazon bought MGM, and they will be releasing about a dozen films to cinema next year.
Chad, I agree there is a lot of paranoia, but MGM was in a horrible state and going under. Much of their catalogue of films had already been sold/licensed. Not so with WB. Of course this deal is not done yet, but I can tell you cinema owners are nervous. There are lots of moving parts here, theme park rights are not a priority. If Netflix agrees to some concessions with theater chains, that could be something, but we are already witnessing issues. Of course Netflix does support many artists; i.e. who allowed Del Toro to make Frankenstein? Nevertheless, the theatrical exhibition and home physical sales were a huge source of revenue. Home physical sales have substantially dropped, and theatrical is diminished, so it is not total paranoia. The new Knives Out film is out for how long? Finally, the major studios have always been taken to task for playing fast and loose with sales figures. Netflix just hides it completely.
V-coaster: "TH, I know you're being sarcastic, but LotR doesn't have any dragons in it, besides Smaug,"
Me: You just wrote, "LotR doesn't have any dragons in it, besides Smaug" -- who is a dragon ... That's hilarious.
Well, yeah. I made a statement and specified an exception. And smaug died before the events of LotR even began. There shouldn't be anything hilarious about that.
This deal would be a huge shift for the industry. Netflix taking control of WB/Discovery brings a massive library of IP under a company that has never operated at this scale outside streaming. It opens the door to new projects, but it also creates uncertainty, especially for theme parks that hoped Universal might acquire WB and streamline access to franchises like DC, Looney Tunes, or even Harry Potter.
Universal can still license these properties, but negotiations may become more complex with Netflix now owning them. After spending that much money, Netflix will likely look for every possible way to monetize the catalog, which could shape how these brands appear in entertainment, attractions, and global partnerships for years to come.
Paramount just came in with a Hostile bid - 25 Billion higher for WB than Netflix
Break out the popcorn.
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AOL, AT&T, and now Discovery. Owning Warners seems to be quick path to corporate misery. I really hope Netflix know what they’re doing…
Of course we all know this is a part of an elaborate scheme by The Brain to take control of humanity through subliminal messaging that will appear in the soon to be uploaded Animaniacs back catalogue.