Netflix

After Netflix agreed to buy Warner Bros.’ studio and streaming businesses in a deal widely reported at roughly $72 billion (with some outlets citing higher figures) that would exclude WBD’s cable networks and follow a planned spin‑off of CNN/TNT/TBS, industry groups and regulators signaled intense scrutiny and markets reacted with WBD shares rising while Netflix and rivals slipped. Paramount Skydance then launched a hostile $30‑per‑share tender for WBD (~$74.4 billion) — including the cable assets Netflix’s deal omits — saying its offer is about $18 billion higher, could avoid a lengthy multi‑jurisdictional review, expires Jan. 8, 2026 unless extended, briefly boosted WBD and Paramount shares, and raised the prospect of a CNN–CBS combination amid political scrutiny.

Hollywood director Carl Erik Rinsch was convicted in federal court in New York on December 11, 2025 of wire fraud, money laundering and related charges for misappropriating $11 million that Netflix advanced to finish his sci‑fi series “White Horse.” Prosecutors said Rinsch diverted the funds to speculative stock and crypto trades and luxury purchases, including five Rolls‑Royces, a Ferrari, hundreds of thousands on watches, clothing, mattresses and linens, and $1.8 million in credit card bills; he never delivered the show. Sentencing is set for April, and Netflix declined to comment.