Netflix is walking away from its offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming business, in a stunning move that effectively puts Paramount in a position to take over its storied Hollywood rival. On Thursday, Warner's board announced that Skydance-owned Paramount's latest offer to buy the entire company for $31 per share was superior to the agreement it had previously struck with Netflix. Warner gave Netflix four business days to come up with a counteroffer - but Netflix instead responded less than two hours later, declining to raise its proposal. It said the new price it would have to pay made the deal "no longer financially attractive.""We believe we would have been strong stewards of Warner Bros.′ iconic brands," Netflix's co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said in a joint statement. "But this transaction was always a 'nice to have' at the right price, not a 'must have' at any price." Story continues below advertisement A Paramount buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery would reshape Hollywood and the wider media landscape. And unlike Netflix - which was only eyeing Warner's studio and streaming business - Paramount wants the entire company. That means HBO Max, cult-favorite titles like "Harry Potter" and even CNN could soon find themselves under the same roof as Paramount's CBS, "Top Gun" and the Paramount+ streaming service. 2:36 Business Matters: Warner Bros. Discovery rejects revised Paramount Skydance buyout bid The prospect of such a combination, which will still need the green light from both Warner shareholders and regulators, poses both antitrust concerns and questions of political influence.

Netflix's decision to walk away on Thursday marks the latest development in a monthslong, messy corporate battle over Warner's future. Sarandos and Peters thanked Warner's leadership despite the final outcome.

Warner had repeatedly backed the deal it struck with Netflix since December right up until Thursday evening, when its board continued to recommend Netflix even while calling Paramount's bid valued at about $111 billion including debt "superior." Netflix had previously put a $27.75 per share offer on the table for Warner's studio and streaming business, totaling nearly $83 billion including debt. Story continues below advertisement In a statement Thursday night, CEO David Zaslav said Netflix executives had been "extraordinary partners" and that he wished them "well in the future." Get weekly money news Get expert insights, Q&A on markets, housing, inflation, and personal finance information delivered to you every Saturday. Sign up for weekly money newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. After months of a heated back and forth amid Paramount's hostile campaign to take over Warner without the board's blessing, Warner also changed its tune about the remaining prospective buyer.

Warner's board hasn't officially adopted Paramount's merger agreement yet, but once it does, Zaslav said it "will create tremendous value." He added that the company was "excited about the potential of a combined Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery."Paramount did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. But CEO David Ellison earlier applauded Warner's board affirming "the superior value of our offer."A Paramount-Warner combo would combine two of Hollywood's five legacy studios that remain today, in addition to their theatrical channels. Beyond "Harry Potter," Warner movies like "Superman," "Barbie," and "One Battle After Another" - as well as hit TV series like "The White Lotus" and "Succession" - would join Paramount's content library. 2:17 Netflix to buy Warner Bros. film & streaming business for US$72B Paramount's lineup of titles include "Top Gun," "Titanic" and "The Godfather." And beyond CBS, it owns networks like MTV and Nickelodeon, as well as the Paramount+ streaming service. Story continues below advertisement A merger between the two companies would put CNN under the same roof as CBS, which has already seen significant editorial shifts under new Skydance ownership. Paramount took steps to appeal to more conservative viewers in its news operations, notably with the installation of Free Press founder Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News. And if the company's takeover bid of Warner is successful, critics warn similar shifts could happen CNN, a network that has long attracted ire from Trump. More on Entertainment More videos 'Trailer Park Boys' actor Mike Smith to stand trial for sexual assault David Bowie's daughter says she missed dad's death when forced into rehab centre Martin Short's family 'devastated' by death of daughter, Katherine, at 42 'Home Improvement' star Zachery Ty Bryan jailed after 6th arrest in 5 years 'Trailer Park Boys' actor Mike Smith pleads not guilty to sexual assault charge "She's cool": Xavier Trudeau on meeting Katy Perry, his dad's girlfriend The Morning Show: February