Warner Bros and Paramount merger could reshape US media landscape
The deal faces regulatory scrutiny both for influence on media landscape, but also for foreign investments to fund it.
![If the merger moves forward, it would bring CBS News and CNN under one roof [File: Kylie Cooper/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2025-12-22T211528Z_1863318890_RC2VLIABNM0W_RTRMADP_3_PARAMOUNT-CBS-SIXTYMINUTES-1773758258.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![The case’s outcome could set the stage for a wave of comparable lawsuits facing social media giants including Meta [Mike Blake/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-18T185549Z_625422236_RC2GOJAFDT1W_RTRMADP_3_SOCIALMEDIA-TRIAL-1771447061.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Paramount has said the board "never meaningfully engaged" with its offers [Adam Gray/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-17T181656Z_290930714_RC2TNJAJGP22_RTRMADP_3_WARNER-BROS-DIS-M-A-PARAMOUNT-SKYDAN-1771359118.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Paramount Skydance also offered to cover the termination fee if Warner Bros. Discovery walks away from the Netflix deal [File: Mike Blake/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-01-22T131001Z_264531435_RC2I0JAF57S4_RTRMADP_3_WARNER-BROS-DISCOVERY-M-A-PARAMOUNT-SKYDAN-1770741666.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Kick, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Reddit, Threads and X applications are displayed on a mobile phone in this photo taken on Dec. 9, 2025. [File: Hollie Adams/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image-1769717086.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![The changes to CBS comes as parent company Paramount Skydance continues with a series of hostile takeover bids to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN [File: Mike Blake/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-27T132028Z_183358991_RC2ZZT9VDGMP_RTRMADP_3_MEDIA-CBS-1769538848.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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Iran in limbo: What’s next for country under internet blackout?
Heavy presence of armed forces on streets as Iranians stay home in wake of deadly protests.
EXPLAINER
Is Starlink helping Iranians break internet blackout, and how does it work?
Experts say Starlink is helping Iranians get information out about the protests. But Iran is also trying to jam signals.
India’s VPN ban in Kashmir ‘adds to psychological pressure’, say residents
Government orders a sweeping ban on VPNs for two months in the disputed region, citing ‘threats to national security’.
Warner Bros again rejects latest hostile bid from Paramount
WBD board says the offer ‘remains inadequate’ as some investors push back.
![Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix stock rose on the news of the rejected takeover bid as Paramount Skydance slumped [File: Mike Blake/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-12-16T144735Z_1697212422_RC2ACIAFF9PJ_RTRMADP_3_WARNER-BROS-DISCOVERY-M-A-1767805206.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Warner Bros Discovery rejects Paramount’s hostile takeover bid
Board’s decision comes day after Affinity Partners, fund backed by Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, pulled out of deal.
![News of the board decision sent both Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount-Skydance’s stock tumbling while it sent Netflix stock surging [File: Mike Blake/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-16T144739Z_1051056991_RC2ACIATS8CM_RTRMADP_3_WARNER-BROS-DISCOVERY-M-A-1765984479.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Paramount’s Warner Bros Discovery bid faces conflict of interest concerns
Experts are worried that Paramount-Skydance might undercut the editorial independence of CNN, among other issues.
![Lawmakers were concerned that Netflix’s offer would limit competition in Hollywood while Paramount-Skydance’s would impact how CNN covers the Trump administration [File: Daniel Cole/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-09T162154Z_509628120_RC2BCIA1VRD6_RTRMADP_3_WARNER-BROS-DIS-M-A-PARAMOUNT-MIDDLE-EAST-1765468739.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Netflix to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, raising antitrust concerns
Critics say the deal would create less competition in Hollywood and limit choice for consumers.
![The deal comes after a bidding war between Netflix and Paramount-Skydance, the owner of CBS News [File: Mike Blake/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-03T005823Z_633287869_RC2J8IAAZM9Q_RTRMADP_3_WARNER-BROS-DIS-M-A-NETFLIX-1764950945.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
EXPLAINER
Why did India order smartphone makers to install a government app?
Privacy concerns lead India to rescind order demanding pre-installed cybersecurity app on all new mobile devices.
Paramount Skydance prepares $71bn bid for Warner Bros Discovery: Report
Warner Bros Discovery is on the verge of breaking up, crippled by declines in its television business.
Verizon planning its largest layoffs ever: Report
The cuts could impact 15,000 employees, or 15 percent of the workforce, as soon as next week.
![The looming layoffs has sent the stock upwards at 1.3 percent higher than the market open on Thursday [Sergio Perez/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-13T161411Z_447366154_RC2RVHAMBTP9_RTRMADP_3_VERIZON-LAYOFFS-1763062787.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
