Warner Bros. might be the subsequent huge prize for Netflix, Amazon, and Apple

The streaming world might be about to turn into much more consolidated than it already is. Earlier this week, Warner Bros. Discovery introduced a price hike for its streaming service HBO Max, and on the identical day, it additionally introduced it was basically placing up a for-sale signal on your entire firm.

Now, three main tech corporations have reportedly expressed curiosity in buying Warner Bros. Discovery, and the potential consumers trying to fork out billions of {dollars} in all probability will not come as a shock to you.

In response to Bloomberg, Netflix, Amazon, and Apple have all expressed curiosity in buying Warner Bros. Discovery, both totally or partially, akin to solely its movie and TV library and manufacturing property.

Reportedly, Paramount was one of many first corporations to submit a number of provides for the corporate, however sources conversant in the matter advised Bloomberg that each one of them had been rejected for being too low. Given the extent of curiosity Warner Bros. Discovery is drawing, the corporate is reportedly making ready nondisclosure agreements for potential consumers to signal this week earlier than sharing any confidential monetary data. All this makes it appear as if a bidding struggle for Warner Bros. Discovery might be about to ignite.

Warner Bros. Discovery has plenty of content material below its belt

The corporate continues to be planning on splitting in two

Given Warner Bros. Discovery’s intensive content material library, it is no shock that main corporations like Netflix, Amazon, and Apple would possibly compete for it. Warner Bros. Discovery owns quite a few film and TV manufacturers, akin to HBO, DC Studios, and CNN, together with its flagship movie studio, Warner Bros., which has produced motion pictures like Barbie and the Harry Potter movie collection.

Netflix already hosts a number of main franchises, akin to Stranger Issues and The Witcher, and Amazon has acquired MGM, which incorporates basic franchises like James Bond and Rocky. Apple, alternatively, does not actually have any blockbuster franchises, however it does have a couple of common Apple TV hits, akin to Severance and The Studio. Nonetheless, by buying Warner Bros. Discovery, any of the three corporations, might quickly increase their portfolios by including all the pieces below Warner Bros. Discovery’s scope.

Earlier this yr, Warner Bros. Discovery introduced plans to split into two companies: one for its streaming and film enterprise, and one other for its cable TV manufacturers, akin to CNN, TNT, and Discovery. For now, these plans are nonetheless in movement. But when an settlement is reached with a possible purchaser, that might change shortly.