Part 2/11:
It all started with a surprising news drop – Paramount was reportedly considering a bid to acquire Warner Brothers. As sensational as it sounded, many wondered about the validity, and soon enough, a Wall Street Journal article confirmed that Paramount had indeed made a discreet offer, which Warner Brothers declined.
This rejection sparked debate among industry insiders about Warner Brothers’ motives. Was Warner Brothers holding out for a better deal? Were they trying to incite a bidding war, similar to the frenzy that once drove up the price of 20th Century Fox during Disney’s pursuit? Or was Warner Brothers’ plan to split itself into separate entities—dividing television, networks, and streaming services from its film studio and HBO Max operations—still the primary strategy?