Paramount CEO’s Attempts To Block Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal Internationally

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Paramount CEO David Ellison discussed the recent deal between Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix with key European leaders this week.

Sources at Deadline report that Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish spoke with UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and key figures in the European creative industry. People with knowledge of the situation say Paramount is actively working to challenge the agreement between Warner Bros. and Netflix by pursuing legal action internationally.

I’ve been following the news about Paramount, and it sounds like they’ve been working hard to get a deal done. Apparently, after losing the bid for Warner Bros. Discovery – which was a tough fight lasting about three months – they’ve been reaching out to people like President Macron of France and EU regulators. It seems they’re trying to get their support for something, but it would need official approval from the EU first.

According to insiders, Ellison repeatedly emphasized the need to safeguard traditional theatrical releases in his discussions, a point that should appeal to European leaders, especially those in France. France has a strong history of upholding rules around how and when films are shown in cinemas, and the fact that the renowned Cannes Film Festival has excluded Netflix films from competition is seen as encouraging for Paramount.

Worries about Netflix buying Warner Bros. aren’t limited to Europe. In Hollywood, many entertainment leaders are wondering how the deal will impact movie theaters, which have been struggling since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Netflix has always focused on streaming, but they said they’ll honor Warner Bros.’ current agreements to release movies in theaters. However, they haven’t said what will happen when those agreements end.

Experts watching the European Commission believe the proposed $83 billion deal for Netflix will probably be investigated closely, but isn’t expected to be blocked completely. If approved, it will likely come with rules designed to prevent Netflix from having too much control over what content is available, possibly requiring them to continue licensing shows and movies from other companies.

Warner Bros. Discovery announced in October 2025 that it was open to being acquired and ultimately agreed to a deal with Netflix. They had previously rejected a $30-per-share offer from Paramount. However, Ellison is now appealing directly to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders, signaling his strong determination to pursue the acquisition. Recently, Paramount’s attempt to speed up a legal case requesting more financial information about the sale was unsuccessful.

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2026-01-16 07:07