Netflix Acquiring Warner Bros – Including all the Games Studios

Acquisition season begins once again, or perhaps, it never stopped. Following an extended period of bidding from major entertainment companies, Netflix have emerged the winners and have announced they are moving forward with acquiring Warner Bros – including all the franchise ownership and video game development studios.

While this is all subject to regulatory approval, both Netflix and Warner Bros have announced the deal, which is worth $82.7 Billion. Per the press release, “Netflix, Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.“

Beyond movie and television franchises like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and DC properties, the acquisition also includes Warner Bros. Studios, including Rocksteady, who most recently released Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, , NetherRealm, TT Games and Avalanche – who most recently released the very successful Hogwarts Legacy.

“Our mission has always been to entertain the world. By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies—from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends—with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, K-Pop Demon Hunters
and Squid Game, we’ll be able to do that even better. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.“

Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix

On the Warner Bros. side of the house, David Zaslav, who currently serves as President and CEO of Warner Bros. Disovery said “Today’s announcement combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love to watch the most. For more than a century, Warner Bros. has thrilled audiences, captured the world’s attention, and shaped our culture. By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come.“

As for what both companies feel the acquisition will achieve, they included the below bullet point list in their joint press release.

• Complementary strengths and assets: Warner Bros.’ studios are world-class, with Warner Bros. recognized as a leading supplier of television titles and filmed entertainment. HBO and HBO Max also provide a compelling, complementary offering for consumers. Netflix expects to maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films.
• More choice and greater value for consumers: By adding the deep lm and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose. This also allows Netflix to optimize its plans for consumers, enhancing viewing options and expanding access to content.
• A stronger entertainment industry: This acquisition will enhance Netflix’s studio capabilities, allowing the Company to significantly expand U.S. production capacity and continue to grow investment in original content over the long term which will create jobs and strengthen the entertainment industry.
• More opportunities for the creative community: By uniting Netflix’s member experience and global reach with Warner Bros.’ renowned franchises and extensive library, the Company will create greater value for talent— offering more opportunities to work with beloved intellectual property, tell new stories and connect with a wider audience than ever before.
• More value for shareholders: By offering members a wider selection of quality series and films, Netflix expects to attract and retain more members, drive more engagement and generate incremental revenue and operating income. The Company also expects to realize at least $2-3 billion of cost savings per year by the third year and expects the transaction to be accretive to GAAP earnings per share by year two.

Thrilling stuff! How do you feel about Netflix acquiring Warner Bros.? Let us know in the XboxEra Forums or make some noise in the lively XboxEra Community Discord Server. If you’re looking to be a bigger part of an amazing community, then either choice is a good one!

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