WBD & Paramount end potential merger talks, report claims

David Zaslav (Source: Warner Bros. Discovery)

Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount are no looking at a potential merger, according to CNBC.

WBD’s chief David Zaslav and Paramount’s Bob Bakish met up in New York City late last year to discuss a potential merger but talks will go no further, according to the US business site citing sources close to the negotiations.

Rumours surrounding a potential tie-up between the two US studios had been circling for months, with Paramount Global’s majority owner National Amusements reportedly listening to offers for its assets.

The news came just a week after reports claimed that Paramount owner National Amusements had explored a sale of its stake in the studio to US group Skydance and investment firm RedBird Capital Partners. That news sent Paramount shares surging 14%.

News of the WBD talks also emerged shortly before a Bloomberg report claimed that Paramount is revisiting its plan to offload BET Media Group.