Paramount Skydance has boosted its bid for Warner Bros Discovery by offering shareholders extra cash if the deal drags beyond 2026 and agreeing to cover Netflix’s breakup fee if Warner Bros walks away.

The move is the latest in Paramount’s ongoing battle with Netflix for the Hollywood studio’s prized film and TV assets.

The new incentives include a 25-cent-per-share “ticking fee,” worth about $650 million per quarter from early 2027 until the deal closes.

According to CNA, Paramount has not increased its $30-per-share offer, totaling $108.4 billion including debt, but pledged to fund the $2.8 billion termination fee Warner Bros would owe Netflix if their $82.7 billion merger collapses.

Both Netflix and Paramount covet Warner Bros for its blockbuster franchises, including “Game of Thrones,” “Harry Potter,” and DC Comics superheroes like Batman and Superman.

Paramount, which owns CBS, would also acquire Warner Bros’ television networks, including CNN and TNT, which are expected to spin off into a separately traded company, Discovery Global.

Paramount CEO David Ellison said, “We are making meaningful enhancements – backing this offer with billions of dollars, providing shareholders with certainty in value, a clear regulatory path, and protection against market volatility.”

The company has also raised Ellison’s personal guarantee to $43.3 billion and secured $54 billion in debt financing from Bank of America, Citigroup, and Apollo.

Warner Bros Board Reviews Paramount Offer

Despite the sweetened offer, analysts say Paramount may struggle to win over Warner Bros shareholders.

Ross Benes, senior analyst at Emarketer, called the move “throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks,” noting that Paramount’s best chance may come from regulatory hurdles blocking Netflix.

Activist investor Ancora Holdings, which owns roughly $200 million in Warner Bros shares, has expressed opposition to the Netflix deal and could push for Paramount if the board fails to secure a better offer, Reuters reported.

Warner Bros said its board will review the updated offer but maintains support for Netflix’s merger.

Paramount has also addressed other concerns by offering to backstop Warner Bros’ planned debt exchange and certifying compliance with US antitrust regulators.

It is in talks with regulators in the US, EU, and UK and has secured foreign investment approval in Germany.

Netflix’s $82.7 billion all-cash offer remains in place. Gaining Warner Bros’ assets could give Netflix cultural and streaming power, with nearly half a billion subscribers worldwide. A Warner Bros shareholder vote on the Netflix deal is expected by April.

Originally published on vcpost.com

In 2025, Thailand’s border and transit trade reached 1.93 trillion baht, growing 6.7%. Transit trade surged 24.4%, driven by exports like durian and hard drives, despite slower border trade. Six trade fairs are planned for 2026.

Key Points

• In 2025, border and transit trade reached 1.93 trillion baht, a 6.7% rise from the previous year, aiding the growth of the border economy. Trade with neighboring countries amounted to 894.19 billion baht, while transit trade soared by 24.4% to 1.04 trillion baht, with China as the top destination.
• Major exports included fresh durian, hard disk drives, and rubber. However, border trade slowed in the latter half of the year due to issues at the Thai-Cambodian border and Myanmar’s import restrictions. Nonetheless, robust transit trade sustained overall growth.
• Looking forward, the Department of Foreign Trade plans to host six border trade fairs across different provinces in fiscal year 2026. These events will enable entrepreneurs to showcase products, engage in business matching, and expand trade channels, further supporting border economic activity.

The Department of Foreign Trade reported that border and transit trade in 2025 totaled 1.93 trillion baht, a 6.7 percent increase from the previous year and supporting continued growth in the border economy.

The department reported that trade with four neighboring countries reached 894.19 billion baht, while transit trade to third countries totaled 1.04 trillion baht. Transit trade grew by 24.4 percent, the highest on record.

China remained Thailand’s largest transit trade destination at 608 billion baht, followed by Singapore and Vietnam. Major exports included fresh durian, hard disk drives, and rubber.

The department noted that border trade slowed in the second half of the year due to the Thai–Cambodian border situation and Myanmar’s import controls. However, strong transit trade remained a key driver, allowing overall trade to maintain solid growth.

Looking ahead, the Department of Foreign Trade will organize six border trade fairs in six provinces during fiscal year 2026. These events will provide entrepreneurs with free opportunities to showcase products, participate in business matching, and expand trade channels, supporting border economic activity and strengthening alternative markets.

Source : Thailand’s Transit Trade Hits Record 1.04 Trillion Baht in 2025

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