Paramount CEO David Ellison spoke to a number of influential figures in Europe this week relating to Warner Bros Discovery and Netflix’s new settlement.
Based on Deadline, sources alleged that Ellison talked to UK Tradition Secretary Lisa Nandy and main creatives in Europe. Insiders aware of the scenario declare that Paramount is set to escalate its plans to dam Warner Bros. and Netflix’s deal by taking its case abroad.
These alleged discussions adopted a Bloomberg report that said senior Paramount executives additionally met with Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, and EU regulators in an effort to realize their help, which might require approval from the EU. The outreach comes after roughly 3 months of Paramount preventing to accumulate Warner Bros. Discovery, solely to lose it to the streamer in a bidding conflict.
Sources say Ellison harassed the significance of defending the theater throughout his conferences, a message that might probably resonate with European policymakers, significantly in France. The nation is thought to comply with strict guidelines relating to theatrical releases. And the nation’s prestigious Cannes Movie Pageant refusing to incorporate Netflix-backed titles to compete is one other constructive signal for Paramount.
Issues in regards to the affect of a Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. transcend simply Europe. In Hollywood, main gamers within the leisure business have questioned how this deal might have an effect on theatrical distribution, which has been in jeopardy for the reason that pandemic hit in 2020. Whereas Netflix has historically prioritized streaming over theaters, it claimed that it could comply with uphold the studio’s present theatrical obligations. Nonetheless, the business large didn’t point out what would occur as soon as these contracts expire.
Specialists who’ve been following the European Fee say the proposed $83 billion Netflix transaction would probably face an in-depth overview reasonably than an outright rejection. Any approval might include circumstances aimed toward limiting its management over content material, probably together with necessities to keep up licensing preparations.
Warner Bros. Discovery formally put itself available on the market in October 2025 and reached an settlement with Netflix in December, turning down a proposal from Paramount valued at $30 per share. Ellison has since taken his bid to WBD shareholders immediately, exhibiting that he clearly will not go down and not using a battle. Paramount lately did not speed up a courtroom case looking for extra detailed monetary disclosures associated to the sale.