Analysts think that a Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal merger could be in the near future, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Warner Bros. Discovery has been struggling, specifically as CEO David Zaslav searches for a Kevin Feige figure to head their DC franchise. Analysts think that Comcast CEO Brian Roberts could take advantage of the situation and purchase Warner Bros. Discovery to merge with NBCUniversal.
An executive with knowledge of both companies told THR, “Obviously Peacock sucks. There are some good synergies. I’m sure [Roberts] is licking his chops because the [WBD] stock is so low. And I think that’s Zaslav’s endgame. Get the place sold.”
Meanwhile, a Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson has said, “We are building Warner Bros. Discovery for the long term.”
As ComicBook.com notes, this merger couldn’t take place until April 2024, when Comcast has the right, but not the obligation, to sell its remaining 33% stock of Hulu to Disney. Roberts did suggest at the Goldman Sachs + Technology Conference that he would be open to instead buying Hulu outright.
“I believe if Hulu was put up for sale, Comcast would be interested [in buying it],” Roberts said. “So would a lot of other tech and media companies. You would have a robust auction.”
How would you feel about a Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal merger? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Why would Disney put Hulu up for sale? They own 67% of it and have complete control set up in an agreement with Comcast in 2019. With streaming services taking control of the entertainment market (over cable, network TV and theatrical films) Disney would be insane to ever let that go.
Also in Comcast buys Warner/Discovery (with Discovery’s streaming service) I doubt the Fair Trade Commission would even allow them to consider buying Hulu and in fact may require them to sell their stake to Disney in 2024.
It would never fly through the DOJ. Totally unrealistic idea.
That speculation ain’t gonna last for long. The merger ain’t even gonna fly.
Just cannot escape!