In a dramatic escalation of the battle for control of Warner Bros Discovery, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has personally committed over $40 billion to support Paramount Skydance’s takeover attempt. This move directly counters Warner Bros Discovery’s recent push for shareholders to reject the $108.4 billion offer.
The conflict intensified after Warner Bros Discovery agreed to sell its film studios and HBO assets to Netflix for $82.7 billion, a deal it claims is superior. Warner Bros Discovery has also publicly questioned the financial backing of Paramount’s bid, alleging investors were misled about the strength of its funding.
Paramount’s latest statement seeks to eliminate those doubts. The company announced that Ellison will personally guarantee $40.4 billion in equity financing, framing it as a decisive answer to concerns about financial readiness. Paramount maintains that its offer to acquire the entire company—including assets like CNN and the Discovery Channel—represents a better path for growth and shareholder value than the piecemeal sale to Netflix.
David Ellison, CEO of Paramount and son of Larry Ellison, argued that their all-cash proposal remains the superior option. He emphasized that a Paramount acquisition would fuel greater content production and theatrical output, positioning it as the bid that would preserve a major Hollywood institution for the long term.
The personal financial guarantee from one of the world’s wealthiest individuals marks a pivotal moment in the high-stakes corporate struggle, applying new pressure on Warner Bros Discovery’s board to reconsider the hostile offer.