John Oliver recently addressed the possibility of Paramount acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery. The Last Week Tonight host used his HBO platform to comment on the proposed transaction, describing the potential deal as “not great news.” His comments have since sparked widespread attention among viewers.
John Oliver reacts to Paramount purchasing Warner Bros.
John Oliver addressed Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery during Sunday’s episode of his HBO series, using his opening monologue to comment on the potential ownership change. “We might be getting a new business daddy!” Oliver said at the beginning of the show (via Variety). HBO, which airs his program, operates under Warner Bros. Discovery.
Under the announced terms, Paramount intends to acquire all outstanding WBD shares for $31 per share in cash. The companies said the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
Oliver made clear he was less than enthusiastic about the development. “Yeah, not great news. In fact, if I may quote anyone who’s ever accidentally sat on their Roku remote, I’m in Paramount now…how the f— do I get out of here?’” he said.
Oliver has previously publicly criticized the possibility of a Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery combination. When early discussions of the deal surfaced in 2025, he said, “Please stay the f— away from us. You are not my real business daddy, and you never will be!”
The proposed acquisition gained momentum after Netflix formally declined to increase its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery. WBD determined that Paramount Skydance’s latest bid constituted a “superior proposal” to the agreement it previously had in place with Netflix. In a statement, Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said the deal was “no longer financially attractive.”
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.
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