EXPLAINER
Messi mania but no World Cup broadcast deal in India – all to know
With the World Cup weeks away, FIFA is struggling to find broadcast rights buyers in the world’s most populous country.
![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)
![Jamal Rayyan was a presenter at Global News Insight for nearly three decades [Global News Insight Mubasher]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-15-at-14.52.19-1773586344.png?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Investors have until Jan. 21 to accept Paramount's offer [File: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-07T200423Z_1955202342_RC2JWIA4JAIY_RTRMADP_3_WARNER-BROS-DISCOVERY-M-A-VERSANT-1767901114.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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Paramount expands offer for Warner Bros amid hostile takeover bid
The Ellison-backed US media giant offered a so-called ticking fee for each month the deal fails to close.
![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)
US FCC notice to broadcasters prompts concerns on curtailing free speech
Critics say such actions and increasing corporate ownership of media is causing a backsliding in US media freedom.
CBS News’ Bari Weiss unveils new strategy amid backlash, viewership lags
The network is set lean into podcasters bringing on more controversial conservative leaning voices.
![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)
Paramount Skydance extends Warner Bros takeover bid offer
The Ellison-owned media giant will now give investors until February 20 to consider its bid.
![Paramount Skydance has repeatedly pursued a hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery as its deal with Netflix looms [File: Mike Blake/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-22T131001Z_264531435_RC2I0JAF57S4_RTRMADP_3_WARNER-BROS-DISCOVERY-M-A-PARAMOUNT-SKYDAN-1769110402.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Netflix switches its Warner Bros offer to all-cash deal to quell Paramount
The switch in its offer comes as Paramount Skydance has campaigned that its bid is superior to Netflix’s.
![The Netflix CEO said the all-cash deal with expedite the timeline for a stockholder vote [File: Daniel Cole/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-17T014724Z_1688721972_RC2DCIAEVINQ_RTRMADP_3_USA-TRUMP-BONDS-1768930362.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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)
UK police say comedian Russell Brand charged with two more sex offences
The 50-year-old comedian is already facing similar charges, including rape and sexual assault, involving four women.
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)
Paramount goes hostile in its bid for Warner Bros Discovery
It is the same bid that Warner Brothers rejected in favour of the offer from Netflix last week.
