Why David Ellison’s Paramount Takeover Bid Faces Fierce Backlash

Paramount’s chief, David Ellison, has become something of a lightning rod in the entertainment world, thanks to his dogged campaign to snap up Warner Bros. Discovery. The latest chapter unfolded on 7 January 2026, when the Warner Bros. board advised shareholders to give Paramount Skydance’s takeover proposal a wide berth. This marks the eighth time Ellison’s camp has tried to clinch the deal, and the response from Warner Bros. was, once again, a resounding ‘no’.

Paramount’s Persistent Pursuit and Warner Bros.’ Reluctance

Back in December, Ellison upped the ante with a hostile bid to buy out WBD, apparently hoping to outmanoeuvre a competing offer from Netflix. The Paramount boss was hardly gracious in defeat, insisting his company’s proposal was ‘far superior’ to Netflix’s. Yet, the board at Warner Bros. remained unmoved, making it clear they had little appetite for what Paramount was serving, despite Ellison’s repeated overtures to CEO David Zaslav.

Warner Bros. has now officially thrown its weight behind Netflix, urging shareholders to turn down any advances from Paramount Skydance. The company’s press release didn’t mince words:

Paramount’s offer continues to provide insufficient value, including terms such as an extraordinary amount of debt financing that create risks to close and lack of protections for our shareholders if a transaction is not completed. Our binding agreement with Netflix will offer superior value at greater levels of certainty, without the significant risks and costs Paramount’s offer would impose on our shareholders.

In short, Warner Bros. sees more pitfalls than promise in Paramount’s approach, citing the risk of heavy debt and a lack of safety nets for investors if things go pear-shaped.

Behind the Boardroom Doors: Politics and Personalities

There’s more to this corporate standoff than just numbers. Some reckon Warner Bros. is wary of getting too cosy with Paramount because of the Ellison family’s connections to President Donald Trump. With Robert Gibbs, a former Obama aide, now handling communications for the board, the idea of a Trump ally taking the reins at Warner Bros. is, to put it mildly, not universally popular in the upper echelons.

Ellison’s persistence has not exactly endeared him to the public either. Many fans are less than thrilled at the prospect of Paramount gaining control, fearing it would mean even tighter executive grip and less room for creative voices.

What’s at Stake for Viewers and Industry Workers?

While the headlines focus on boardroom drama, it’s ordinary viewers who stand to lose out. Whether Netflix or Paramount ends up in charge, the way people watch films and television is likely to shift. Subscription fees could well climb, and the creative process may become even more dominated by corporate interests rather than artists and writers.

There’s also the not-so-small matter of jobs. The Disney-Fox merger saw a wave of redundancies and projects quietly shelved. Should Warner Bros. change hands, a similar fate could await many in the industry. The sense of unease among staff and fans alike is palpable, with many bracing for more consolidation and less diversity in what reaches our screens.

David Ellison: The Man at the Centre of the Storm

David Ellison, born 9 January 1983, currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance, and has credits as a film producer and actor. As of 2026, his net worth is estimated at $500 million. His relentless pursuit of Warner Bros. has made him a divisive figure, with many questioning whether his ambitions serve the industry or simply his own interests.

What’s your take on this high-stakes corporate saga? The debate is far from over.