Likely to adjust offer to all-cash

Netflix is likely to amend its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets, making an all-cash bid, CNBC’s David Faber reported on Wednesday.

In December, Netflix reached a deal to purchase WBD’s streaming platform HBO Max and the Warner Bros. film studio in a transaction comprised of cash and stock. The deal is currently valued at $27.75 per WBD share. This would put the deal’s equity value at $72 billion, with a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion.

Bloomberg first reported this week that Netflix was considering adjusting its offer to be all-cash.

An amended offer would allow WBD shareholders to vote to approve the offer on a faster timeline, Faber reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Under the current deal, shareholders are expected to vote on the deal in the spring or early summer, Faber reported. Deals comprised of stock typically mean more financials and accounting need to be issued as part of seeking approval, which requires more time and expense, Faber added.

If Netflix were to make its offer all-cash the shareholder vote could move up to as early as late February or early March, Faber reported.

The change would come as Paramount Skydance has turned up the heat on its hostile push to acquire all of Warner Bros. Discovery’s business.

Earlier this week Paramount sued Warner Bros. Discovery and CEO David Zaslav seeking more information about why the company’s board continues to reject its $30-per-share offer in favor of Netflix.

Paramount has repeatedly argued its deal is superior in value, given the estimated value of Warner Bros. Discovery’s TV networks. It has also amended its bid to solidify the backing of Oracle co-founder and billionaire Larry Ellison, the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison.