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.
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
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.