There are unspoken undercurrents behind the Netflix vs. Paramount Skydance battle for Warner Bros. My thoughts on the same are as follows:
1. Trump’s Growing Strategic Role: US President Donald Trump’s public remarks suggest his intention to influence the Warner Bros acquisition. This transforms the deal into a politically charged media power play rather than a purely corporate transaction.
2. The CNN Variable – A Personal and Political Edge: Trump’s contentious history with CNN makes this network a crucial factor. Paramount Skydance’s proposal includes control of CNN, while Netflix’s bid deliberately excludes it. This distinction aligns closely with Trump’s media sensitivities and preferences.
3. Family Connections and Financial Leverage: The Paramount Skydance consortium benefits from support linked to Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. His extensive relationships with investors from Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar bring not only deep financial backing but also geopolitical implications.
4. The New Gulf Axis – Media Meets Finance: A growing wave of interest is emerging from the Gulf region — particularly Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia — to bridge media, entertainment, and intellectual property (IP) with global finance. These nations see storytelling, studios, and content IPs not just as cultural assets but as core instruments of soft power and economic diversification beyond oil. This new media-finance synergy could play a pivotal role in influencing major acquisitions like Warner Bros.
5. A Possible Third Player – The Murdoch Dimension: Rupert Murdoch, who once sought to acquire Time Warner, or his sons, Lachlan and James, could re-enter the picture. With Trump’s administration potentially offering informal support, the Murdochs may see this as a renewed opportunity to expand their legacy in global media dominance.
6. The Larger Strategic Picture: The unfolding battle among Netflix, Paramount Skydance, and potential new entrants isn’t merely about ownership — it represents a convergence of politics, power, and global liquidity. The new age of media acquisition is being written not only in Hollywood boardrooms but also in the financial capitals of Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.
- Sunil Doshi (Bollywood producer who has produced films like Bheja Fry