
The Powers That Be: Daily Hollywood’s Future ’26 War Stories
Jan 10, 2026
Matt Belloni, a former Hollywood reporter and now at Puck, shares insights on the bidding war between Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix. He explores the implications of Disney's deal with Sora 2 amid rising A.I. concerns. Belloni names industry heroes for their innovative strategies and critiques Sam Altman as a villain for OpenAI's copyright issues. He predicts A.I. will be a hot topic in future negotiations and discusses the contrasting landscape of premium versus algorithm-driven content, along with YouTube's changing relationship with the Oscars.
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Episode notes
Board Preferred Netflix For Strategic Fit
- Warner's board preferred Netflix because the choice involved subjective judgements beyond pure cash, like the value of leftover TV assets.
- Matt Belloni argues that when bids are similar, the board will favor the bidder seen as a better long-term home for the assets.
Perceived Competence Shaped Board Thinking
- Netflix is viewed as an operational media company with a decade of leadership, while Paramount is seen as a less-proven owner.
- That perceived competence influenced the board's comfort with Netflix as a steward of Warner's assets.
Split Sentiment On David Ellison
- Some in Hollywood cheer David Ellison as a potential savior committed to theatrical releases and restoring studio vigor.
- Others fear his plan would consolidate studios, cut output, and shrink opportunities for creators.





