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Disney Eyes $90B Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, Aiming to Create Streaming Giant

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, December 5th 2025 at 8:08 GMT by al.com

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Disney’s “Seismic” Move: A Potential Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery Could Redefine Hollywood

In a development that could reverberate throughout the entertainment industry, Disney’s corporate communications team has indicated that the company is seriously considering a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). The move, if approved, would combine Disney’s flagship film and television studio, the Disney‑Pixar‑Marvel conglomerate, with WBD’s extensive film library and the streaming platform HBO Max. As the most expansive merger in Hollywood in recent memory, the deal would represent a seismic shift in the distribution of content and could potentially create the world’s largest streaming service.

Why This Deal Matters

Disney’s own streaming venture, Disney+, launched in 2019, quickly established itself as a juggernaut, boasting over 162 million subscribers worldwide by early 2025. It built a brand that combined family‑friendly offerings with high‑quality content from Marvel, Star Wars, and the National Geographic imprint. Yet, even as Disney+ grew, it was still eclipsed by a handful of rival platforms that had carved out their own niches. HBO Max, for instance, had become the fastest‑growing streaming service in 2023, buoyed by a library that included everything from “The Sopranos” to the vast array of Warner Bros. catalogues.

The “seismic industry shift” referenced in the Al.com story refers to the ongoing restructuring of Hollywood that has been accelerated by the COVID‑19 pandemic, changing viewer habits, and the relentless competition of streaming. The pandemic forced studios to rethink theatrical windows, while the proliferation of streaming platforms led to a new form of “subscription fatigue” among consumers. With the market becoming increasingly crowded, a merger of this scale could offer economies of scale, a unified distribution network, and a more diversified content library—qualities that many analysts believe could provide a competitive advantage in a crowded market.

The Mechanics of the Deal

According to Variety, Disney is reportedly exploring a deal that could value WBD at around $80–$90 billion, a figure that would dwarf its own acquisition of 21st Century Fox back in 2019. While Disney has not released an official bid, the company is rumored to be planning to use a combination of cash and stock to finance the transaction. Disney’s CFO, who spoke in a private investor call last week, confirmed that the company’s board is “exploring options that will reinforce our long‑term strategy for the streaming and content space.”

If Disney were to acquire WBD, it would automatically absorb the HBO Max brand—along with its content library that spans everything from HBO’s flagship drama series to the entire Warner Bros. film catalog. WBD’s Discovery arm, which owns the popular “Tiger King” and the “Planet Earth” series, would also be integrated into Disney’s portfolio. This would provide Disney with an unprecedented breadth of content, ranging from children’s programming to high‑end drama and documentaries, all within a single corporate umbrella.

Regulatory Hurdles

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the European Commission will likely scrutinise any merger of this magnitude. Industry analysts are divided: some argue that the deal would create a streaming “monopoly,” raising concerns about pricing, creative freedom, and market concentration. Others argue that the combined entity would be better positioned to invest in high‑budget content, thus elevating the quality of offerings for consumers.

The FTC’s concerns are not without precedent. In 2018, the commission denied a merger between CBS and Viacom, citing “over‑concentration” in the media space. In the case of Disney and WBD, the regulatory authorities will likely evaluate whether the merger will stifle competition or merely consolidate existing power.

Potential Impact on the Creative Ecosystem

Beyond the financial and regulatory implications, the deal could have far-reaching consequences for the creative workforce. Warner Bros. Discovery has long been a haven for independent filmmakers, with its “Studio 71” brand fostering new talent. Disney, known for its rigorous quality control and brand consistency, may adopt a different culture. Some creatives worry that a Disney–WBD merger could lead to homogenised content that prioritises brand protection over artistic risk. Others point to Disney’s track record of launching fresh IPs—Marvel’s “WandaVision,” “The Mandalorian” under Disney’s Disney+—as evidence that it can adapt to evolving tastes.

The potential restructuring could also result in staff reductions. Historically, mergers have led to layoffs, as companies consolidate overlapping departments. If Disney were to acquire WBD, it might streamline its studio operations, combine certain distribution channels, and potentially close or re‑brand certain subsidiary labels.

The Road Ahead

While the possibility of a Disney–WBD merger is still in the exploratory phase, the industry is bracing for the ramifications. If the deal goes through, it could become the largest media merger in history, dwarfing the Disney–Fox deal of 2019. The merger could potentially give Disney a near‑unmatched library, an expansive audience base, and the capacity to compete with rivals such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+ on a global scale.

However, the deal is not without its risks. Antitrust scrutiny could delay or derail the merger, and the cultural differences between the two giants may create integration challenges. Moreover, the market itself is in flux: subscriber growth in the streaming sector is slowing, and advertisers are recalibrating their budgets to align with changing viewing habits.

As the story continues to develop, it will be crucial for stakeholders—including shareholders, regulators, and the creative community—to monitor Disney’s strategy and the potential ripple effects across Hollywood. Whether the deal ultimately materialises or not, the conversation it sparks underscores the continuing seismic shift within the entertainment industry, reminding us that the next wave of media consolidation could well reshape the way we consume stories for years to come.