Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Confident in $70 Billion Sale Price Despite Bidding Landscape
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav expressed confidence today that the media company can still be sold for up to $70 billion, or approximately $30 per share, citing strong interest from multiple potential buyers.
Zaslav reportedly believes there is significant “male energy” among bidders, according to sources, despite a current offer of $23.50 per share from Paramount Skydance’s David Ellison. Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets include top-ranked studio, HBO, CNN, and valuable intellectual property like “Harry Potter” and “The Sopranos,” which could be leveraged with artificial intelligence. This potential sale comes at a pivotal moment for the media landscape as companies grapple with the evolving streaming market.
Interest in WBD was evident at a Simon Wiesenthal Foundation event last Thursday where Zaslav was honored for his work combating antisemitism. Attendees included industry leaders such as Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, who is reportedly interested in acquiring WBD’s streaming service and studio to avoid building one independently. Comcast’s Brian Roberts is also reportedly considering a bid, despite recent scrutiny over a donation to fund a new White House ballroom. For more on antitrust regulations impacting media mergers, see the Federal Trade Commission website.
David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, was also present at the event, alongside Makan Delrahim, his top lawyer. Zaslav also suggested Apple and Amazon could be interested in acquiring portions of WBD. He reportedly believes that non-political staff at the Department of Justice may approve a Comcast bid, given the difficulty in building a strong antitrust case without the cable properties. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the outcome of these negotiations could significantly reshape the future of media consolidation.
Zaslav indicated he anticipates the final bid will include a “3” in the price, signaling his expectation of a substantial increase from current offers.
