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Thu, 23 Apr 2026

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 Warner Bros shareholders approve Paramount's $111bn takeover

The approval came as Donald Trump is to attend a dinner with billionaire Paramount backers the Ellisons.
Warner Bros Discovery shareholders have approved a $111bn takeover by Paramount, which could drastically alter the media landscape. The deal will give Paramount control over Warner Bros' titles and channels, including Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and CNN. Paramount's owner, Larry Ellison, is hosting a dinner with Donald Trump at the US Institute of Peace in Washington DC, sparking protests from actor Mark Ruffalo and others who fear the merger will harm the media industry. Some 1,400 actors, directors, and filmmakers have signed a letter opposing the takeover, warning it could lead to fewer opportunities for creators, higher costs, and less choice for audiences. Regulators still need to approve the deal, but analysts believe Washington is likely to rubber-stamp it, with the main regulatory pressure coming from European authorities. If approved, the merger will fold Warner Bros' HBO Max streaming customers into Paramount's portfolio, adding to its ownership of brands such as Nickelodeon and CBS. The takeover is expected to be finalised by September pending regulatory clearances.