Netflix buys Warner Brothers (including HBO)

[Goldstar88]

I?m glad paramount is (likely) acquiring. Netflix doesn?t put out much good content these days. Strangers Things was decent, but that?s over now. Paramount has a lot of quality shows. I feel like the people who run Netflix would have ruined HBO.

If Netflix had won they likely would have left HBO as is and offered a discount for subscribing to both services which would have been to my benefit. 

I don't feel compelled to pay for Paramount.  other than Star Trek series, I haven't seen anything currently that interests me.

Some of their top rated shows: Dexter, MobLand, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, 1923, Lioness, Landman, 1888, The Offer, Seal Team.

[slamtheking]

I?m glad paramount is (likely) acquiring. Netflix doesn?t put out much good content these days. Strangers Things was decent, but that?s over now. Paramount has a lot of quality shows. I feel like the people who run Netflix would have ruined HBO.

If Netflix had won they likely would have left HBO as is and offered a discount for subscribing to both services which would have been to my benefit. 

I don't feel compelled to pay for Paramount.  other than Star Trek series, I haven't seen anything currently that interests me.

Some of their top rated shows: Dexter, MobLand, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, 1923, Lioness, Landman, 1888, The Offer, Seal Team.

Lioness and Mobland I've seen.  Lioness was very good

[dannyboy35]

So what happened in the end? Netflix was all set to buy, then Trump complains and Paramount offers an amount, now Netflix no longer wants to buy? Seems like there's some fishy behind the scenes going on although, to be honest, I don't care as much about these corporate drama. The only thing I don't like is the less competition there is, the more expensive these streaming services can be.

No, Netflix and Paramount both wanted it.  Netflix did not want the whole company tho (they had no interest in CNN, for example) while Paramount wanted everything.  Paramount raised its bid a couple of times, and Netflix stuck at its original number.  The slightly surprising thing was Netflix walking away when the WB board still seemed inclined to accept Netflix offer even after the most recent Paramount price raise, but my guess is they were getting cold feet and the latest round gave them an out.

It is unclear what will happen at the federal level with this.  The head of the DOJ antitrust division stepped down last month after she complained that there was too much political interference going on (not necessarily about this merger).  I have worked with DOJ on several telecom and media mergers, in multiple administrations, and many of the staff I worked with, most especially one in leadership, are still there, so my guess is at least initially it will be given a close look (and indeed, already is receiving that review).  A review of this size will probably take until the end of this year, and then there will either be an agreement to let the merger go through after either a divestment or some other conditions, or the DOJ will sue to stop.

State attorneys general, most obviously California with the Hollywood connection, but also others, may sue to stop it themselves if the DOJ does not act.  (We saw that in the first Trump administration with Sprint and T-Mobile, for example, although their suit was unsuccessful because the Court found that conditions imposed by the federal government were sufficient to limit the potential harms).  So my guess is this will go to the Courts one way or the other, unless Paramount makes a lot of concessions to appease the Feds and the States.

translate that into:
Most Likely - change CNN to a Fox-News clone or at the least canning Trump's critics and becoming Fox-lite
Quite Possible - cancel anti-Trump programming on HBO such as Bill Maher and John Oliver.
Probably Not But Wouldnt Be Surprised - Add a Trump-like character to House of the Dragon that can fly on dragons and decimate free villages not under his thumb with dragon fire.   

  I definitely lean left but to be fair I think it?s the left that has ruined films for a long time now injecting messages in an incredibly clumsy fashion. I feel really bad that more people will lose their jobs with Paramount being a legacy type of business like WB but happy for movies in general. Netflix does not care about quality and was going to sink the theatre experience quicker. I was so tired of the left side ruining franchises like Star Wars.

[Kernewek]

So what happened in the end? Netflix was all set to buy, then Trump complains and Paramount offers an amount, now Netflix no longer wants to buy? Seems like there's some fishy behind the scenes going on although, to be honest, I don't care as much about these corporate drama. The only thing I don't like is the less competition there is, the more expensive these streaming services can be.

No, Netflix and Paramount both wanted it.  Netflix did not want the whole company tho (they had no interest in CNN, for example) while Paramount wanted everything.  Paramount raised its bid a couple of times, and Netflix stuck at its original number.  The slightly surprising thing was Netflix walking away when the WB board still seemed inclined to accept Netflix offer even after the most recent Paramount price raise, but my guess is they were getting cold feet and the latest round gave them an out.

It is unclear what will happen at the federal level with this.  The head of the DOJ antitrust division stepped down last month after she complained that there was too much political interference going on (not necessarily about this merger).  I have worked with DOJ on several telecom and media mergers, in multiple administrations, and many of the staff I worked with, most especially one in leadership, are still there, so my guess is at least initially it will be given a close look (and indeed, already is receiving that review).  A review of this size will probably take until the end of this year, and then there will either be an agreement to let the merger go through after either a divestment or some other conditions, or the DOJ will sue to stop.

State attorneys general, most obviously California with the Hollywood connection, but also others, may sue to stop it themselves if the DOJ does not act.  (We saw that in the first Trump administration with Sprint and T-Mobile, for example, although their suit was unsuccessful because the Court found that conditions imposed by the federal government were sufficient to limit the potential harms).  So my guess is this will go to the Courts one way or the other, unless Paramount makes a lot of concessions to appease the Feds and the States.

translate that into:
Most Likely - change CNN to a Fox-News clone or at the least canning Trump's critics and becoming Fox-lite
Quite Possible - cancel anti-Trump programming on HBO such as Bill Maher and John Oliver.
Probably Not But Wouldnt Be Surprised - Add a Trump-like character to House of the Dragon that can fly on dragons and decimate free villages not under his thumb with dragon fire.   

  I definitely lean left but to be fair I think it?s the left that has ruined films for a long time now injecting messages in an incredibly clumsy fashion. I feel really bad that more people will lose their jobs with Paramount being a legacy type of business like WB but happy for movies in general. Netflix does not care about quality and was going to sink the theatre experience quicker. I was so tired of the left side ruining franchises like Star Wars.

This is incredible.

[Moranis]

Netflix shows are much better than the Paramount shows, even including Showtime and CBS.  There is some really good stuff on Netlfix and they do a good job with non-American produced content. 

[Goldstar88]

Netflix shows are much better than the Paramount shows, even including Showtime and CBS.  There is some really good stuff on Netlfix and they do a good job with non-American produced content.

Some of the older series are good on Netflix such as Narcos, Peaky Blinders, The Crown, etc. Other than Stranger things, they really haven?t had much in a while.

[Neurotic Guy]

WT

[Moranis]

Netflix shows are much better than the Paramount shows, even including Showtime and CBS.  There is some really good stuff on Netlfix and they do a good job with non-American produced content.

Some of the older series are good on Netflix such as Narcos, Peaky Blinders, The Crown, etc. Other than Stranger things, they really haven?t had much in a while.

House of Guinness is awesome as is Nobody Wants This, 3 Body Problem, Night Agent, Department Q.  Ive enjoyed the Witcher though I k ow that one is more mixed.   Lots of very good shows on Netflix.  They do a good job with the production value and original stuff.

For what it is even Bridgerton is well done.

Also, I'd really recommend Death By Lightening.  It is a 4 episode series.  So more like a movie.  Really well done.   

Some of the foreign language stuff is good, but watching over dubbed or subtitled shows isn't for everything. Im currently watching Ragnarok.  A fun little show out of Norway.

[Goldstar88]

Netflix shows are much better than the Paramount shows, even including Showtime and CBS.  There is some really good stuff on Netlfix and they do a good job with non-American produced content.

Some of the older series are good on Netflix such as Narcos, Peaky Blinders, The Crown, etc. Other than Stranger things, they really haven?t had much in a while.

House of Guinness is awesome as is Nobody Wants This, 3 Body Problem, Night Agent, Department Q.  Ive enjoyed the Witcher though I k ow that one is more mixed.   Lots of very good shows on Netflix.  They do a good job with the production value and original stuff.

For what it is even Bridgerton is well done.

Also, I'd really recommend Death By Lightening.  It is a 4 episode series.  So more like a movie.  Really well done.   

Some of the foreign language stuff is good, but watching over dubbed or subtitled shows isn't for everything. Im currently watching Ragnarok.  A fun little show out of Norway.

Dept Q was decent, but I?m talking about hit shows. Like Stranger Things was. Netflix doesn?t seem to have new shows like that.

[Moranis]

Stanger Things, Squid Game, and Wednesday were the 3 most streamed, streaming only shows last year. All on Netflix.  Landman on Paramaount was 4th. Reacher on Amazon was 5th, then you get more Netflix with Ginny & Georgia, Love Island USA, the Night Agent, Love is Blind, and Gabby's Dollhouse.  Running Point was the most streamed, streaming only new Comedy series followed very closely by The Four Seasons (both on Netflix). The Pitt on HBOMax was the most streamed, streaming only new show overall (still about 500 million minutes behind Gabby).

The most streamed show overall was Bluey on Disney+ followed by Grey's Anatomy. Stranger Things was 3rd. Then NCIS, SpongeBob, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, Big Bang Theory, Law & Order SVU, and Criminal Minds.  So a good mix of kids, network, and some shows that dont even have new episodes anymore. 

2 of the 3 most streamed, streaming only movies were also Netflix originals obviously led by KPop Demon Hunters, but Happy Gilmore 2 was the 3rd with Moana 2 in between them.

I think you just haven't been paying attention. 

[Roy H.]

Stanger Things, Squid Game, and Wednesday were the 3 most streamed, streaming only shows last year. All on Netflix.  Landman on Paramaount was 4th. Reacher on Amazon was 5th, then you get more Netflix with Ginny & Georgia, Love Island USA, the Night Agent, Love is Blind, and Gabby's Dollhouse.  Running Point was the most streamed, streaming only new Comedy series followed very closely by The Four Seasons (both on Netflix). The Pitt on HBOMax was the most streamed, streaming only new show overall (still about 500 million minutes behind Gabby).

The most streamed show overall was Bluey on Disney+ followed by Grey's Anatomy. Stranger Things was 3rd. Then NCIS, SpongeBob, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, Big Bang Theory, Law & Order SVU, and Criminal Minds.  So a good mix of kids, network, and some shows that dont even have new episodes anymore. 

2 of the 3 most streamed, streaming only movies were also Netflix originals obviously led by KPop Demon Hunters, but Happy Gilmore 2 was the 3rd with Moana 2 in between them.

I think you just haven't been paying attention.

I think Netflix puts out good shows overall.  In general, I think the quality is lower than the top Apple and HBO shows, but there's plenty of content.  The only criticism I have is that they sometimes cancel shows prematurely, but I'm not the one making the financial decisions.

[smicker16]

Yeah I think Apple TV and HBO put out better shows, but are not used as widely as Netflix still in general.  I think Netflix compared to Paramount though are both on the same level and I would lean Netflix based on the amount they have.  And I do enjoy quite a lot of the Sheridan stuff on Paramount.

The big thing I will say is the Netflix app is SO much better than Paramount.  Not sure if everyone has that same issue but for me Paramount is so slow and buggy whereas Netflix is always extremely reliable for me. 

[Goldstar88]

Stanger Things, Squid Game, and Wednesday were the 3 most streamed, streaming only shows last year. All on Netflix.  Landman on Paramaount was 4th. Reacher on Amazon was 5th, then you get more Netflix with Ginny & Georgia, Love Island USA, the Night Agent, Love is Blind, and Gabby's Dollhouse.  Running Point was the most streamed, streaming only new Comedy series followed very closely by The Four Seasons (both on Netflix). The Pitt on HBOMax was the most streamed, streaming only new show overall (still about 500 million minutes behind Gabby).

The most streamed show overall was Bluey on Disney+ followed by Grey's Anatomy. Stranger Things was 3rd. Then NCIS, SpongeBob, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, Big Bang Theory, Law & Order SVU, and Criminal Minds.  So a good mix of kids, network, and some shows that dont even have new episodes anymore. 

2 of the 3 most streamed, streaming only movies were also Netflix originals obviously led by KPop Demon Hunters, but Happy Gilmore 2 was the 3rd with Moana 2 in between them.

I think you just haven't been paying attention.

So other than Stranger things (which is over), they have Wednesday and Squid games for hit series. Like I said, they don?t put out a lot of good shows these days.

[Amonkey]

Stanger Things, Squid Game, and Wednesday were the 3 most streamed, streaming only shows last year. All on Netflix.  Landman on Paramaount was 4th. Reacher on Amazon was 5th, then you get more Netflix with Ginny & Georgia, Love Island USA, the Night Agent, Love is Blind, and Gabby's Dollhouse.  Running Point was the most streamed, streaming only new Comedy series followed very closely by The Four Seasons (both on Netflix). The Pitt on HBOMax was the most streamed, streaming only new show overall (still about 500 million minutes behind Gabby).

The most streamed show overall was Bluey on Disney+ followed by Grey's Anatomy. Stranger Things was 3rd. Then NCIS, SpongeBob, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, Big Bang Theory, Law & Order SVU, and Criminal Minds.  So a good mix of kids, network, and some shows that dont even have new episodes anymore. 

2 of the 3 most streamed, streaming only movies were also Netflix originals obviously led by KPop Demon Hunters, but Happy Gilmore 2 was the 3rd with Moana 2 in between them.

I think you just haven't been paying attention.

So other than Stranger things (which is over), they have Wednesday and Squid games for hit series. Like I said, they don?t put out a lot of good shows these days.

Drive to Survive is a big hit and a series that has been massively revived Formula 1 as a sport. F1 had been a pretty downward trend and Drive to Survive has brought so many new fans, that now they are expanding races into United States and has become an increasingly more relevant in today's age.

Besides that, I do think Netflix comes out with some good movies and materials to watch. Apple TV may have the biggest budget in their material with movies like F1 out, but I do think their material comes way to far in between. I don't know HBO material as much since I don't have their streaming service. Peacock I think is good for TV shows and more of the mindless TV type. Amazon Prime will come out with some good movies and TV shows occasionally, but we also find some mindless shows that may be Canadian (Mr. D, Wild Cards, etc) that can be surprisingly unknown good materials. Disney is good for the kids and big budget Marvel/Star Wars movies and Hulu is okay.