At a Glance
- Paramount CEO David Ellison has filed multiple lawsuits to block Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros
- Warner Bros shareholders have rejected at least 12 of Ellison’s acquisition attempts
- A judge ruled Paramount showed “no cognizable, irreparable harm” from the Netflix deal
- Why it matters: The failed blocking attempts clear the path for Netflix to finalize its Warner Bros acquisition
Corporate acquisitions have become the entertainment industry’s new normal since Disney’s Fox purchase, with Warner Bros now caught in a bitter battle between Netflix and Paramount for ownership of the studio behind Batman and Game of Thrones.
The Failed Bid to Block Netflix
David Ellison, CEO of Paramount (which merged with Skydance last year), has mounted an aggressive campaign to prevent Netflix from acquiring Warner Bros. Despite filing lawsuits and attempting to rally European support, his efforts have hit a major roadblock.
A judge recently ruled that Paramount “hasn’t identified [or suffered] any cognizable, irreparable harm” from the pending Netflix-Warner Bros deal. This decision prevents Paramount from fast-tracking its lawsuit while Warner Bros continues finalizing its agreement with Netflix.
The rejection hasn’t deterred Ellison, who remains determined to acquire Warner Bros himself. Sources told News Of Austin that Ellison has approached Warner Bros shareholders at least a dozen times, each time receiving the same response: they’re committed to the Netflix deal and his offers are unacceptable.
Ellison’s Motivations and Methods
Ellison’s pursuit of Warner Bros extends beyond simply owning another major studio. His interest reportedly includes gaining control of CNN as a means to curry favor with the U.S. president and transform the news network into what the article describes as “a vessel for ego stroking and appeasement.”
The Paramount CEO has employed various tactics in his acquisition attempts:
- Filed lawsuits to block the Netflix deal
- Attempted to convince Warner Bros shareholders to reject Netflix
- Sought European support for his blocking efforts
- Used family connections and federal influence
The Corporate Consolidation Trend
What began with Disney’s acquisition of Fox has become standard practice in Hollywood. The article notes that corporate acquisitions, once controversial, are now “just an average part of our day” as companies race to build entertainment empires.
Warner Bros has experienced significant instability over the past five years, going through multiple parent companies and rebranding efforts. The studio enjoyed a successful run of films in 2025, leading some to question why it would sell itself rather than build on that momentum independently.
Industry Implications
The article critiques the broader implications of these mega-mergers:
- Monopolistic consolidation reduces competition
- Corporate interference often harms creative output
- Layoffs and exhaustion typically follow acquisitions
- The “magic” promised by these deals rarely materializes
Paramount’s relentless pursuit despite repeated rejections makes this acquisition battle particularly exhausting. The piece warns that Ellison’s refusal to accept multiple “no’s” could inspire other corporations to similarly ignore shareholder wishes.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix appears poised to complete its Warner Bros acquisition despite Paramount’s interference
- David Ellison has become fixated on acquiring Warner Bros as his “white whale”
- The deal represents ongoing industry consolidation that began with Disney-Fox
- Warner Bros shareholders have consistently chosen Netflix over Paramount’s offers
