The Grill Room

Hollywood’s Future ’26 War Stories

12 snips
Jan 6, 2026
Matt Belloni, a veteran media reporter and editor at Puck, dives into Hollywood's fierce bidding war with Netflix and Paramount over Warner Bros. Discovery. He discusses why Netflix is seen as the better fit and analyzes the industry's divided opinions on potential job cuts. The conversation also tackles AI's rising anxiety, particularly regarding Disney's Sora 2, and the upcoming 2026 film slate, highlighting both ambitious projects and potential pitfalls. Belloni names his Hollywood heroes and villains, igniting discussions on the future of content in an AI-influenced landscape.
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INSIGHT

Board Chose Fit Over Pure Price

  • Warner's board preferred Netflix because the choice involved subjective judgments beyond pure price.
  • If Paramount matches with a higher offer, the board will reconsider based on fiduciary duty and perceived fit.
INSIGHT

Operational Competence Matters In Bids

  • Netflix is viewed as a fully operational media company while Paramount is seen as a less proven owner for large-studio scale.
  • When bids are similar, perceived operational competence and strategic fit can tip the board's choice.
INSIGHT

HBO Wants To Be HBO, Regardless Of Owner

  • HBO's core strength in prestige TV makes its staff cautious about ownership changes.
  • Under Netflix HBO might get relief from pressure; under Ellison it could retain independence but face different reporting dynamics.
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