What's happened
The Biden administration is reportedly considering a sale of Warner Bros. Discovery to Paramount Skydance, backed by Donald Trump and Larry Ellison. The move involves complex regulatory and legal challenges, with potential bids from Netflix, Amazon, and Comcast. The story highlights political influence on media mergers as the US approaches a pivotal moment.
What's behind the headline?
The political influence on WBD's potential sale underscores the intertwining of media, business, and politics in the US. The Biden administration's apparent openness to a sale involving Trump allies signals a strategic move that could reshape media ownership. The involvement of Larry Ellison, a Trump friend, and the possibility of a court challenge to regulatory decisions suggest that this deal will face significant legal hurdles. The bid from major tech and media players like Netflix, Amazon, and Comcast indicates a high-stakes competition driven by the desire to control influential content platforms. The case echoes past antitrust battles, but the current landscape favors a more flexible approach, especially with the precedent set during Trump's presidency. The outcome will likely influence future media mergers and the political landscape's role in corporate deals, with implications for media independence and market competition. The next steps will depend heavily on regulatory decisions and potential court rulings, making this a pivotal moment for US media policy and corporate strategy.
What the papers say
The NY Post reports that the Biden administration is considering a sale of WBD to Paramount Skydance, backed by Larry Ellison and Donald Trump, with potential bids from Netflix, Amazon, and Comcast. The article highlights the political motivations behind the deal, including Trump's influence and regulatory challenges. The Independent discusses the broader context of media mergers, noting Trump's support for certain deals and the political implications of Comcast's interest, especially given its ownership of MSNBC and NBC. Both sources emphasize the complex interplay of politics, business interests, and legal hurdles shaping the potential sale, with the NY Post focusing on the specific bid process and regulatory considerations, while The Independent provides a wider perspective on the political landscape affecting media consolidation.
How we got here
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) owns major media assets including HBO and CNN. The company began a bidding process in early November 2025, with interest from Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison and backed by Larry Ellison. The Biden administration's regulatory stance and political ties influence the potential sale, amid broader concerns about media consolidation and political favoritism. The bid is complicated by antitrust considerations and the influence of former President Trump, who reportedly favors a sale to his allies, potentially to sway media coverage.
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More on these topics
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Warner Bros. Discovery is an upcoming American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate. The company will be formed though the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc., which is expected to be completed by mid-April 2022.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Lawrence Joseph Ellison is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist who is a co-founder and the executive chairman and chief technology officer of Oracle Corporation.
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David Ellison is an American film producer and the founder and CEO of Skydance Media.
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David M. Zaslav is the president and chief executive officer of Discovery Inc., a position he has held since January 2007.
Most recently under Zaslav, Discovery acquired Scripps Networks Interactive, in a transaction which closed in March 2018.