Netflix vs. Paramount Battle for Warner Bros -- Who Controls CNN & HBO Next?

On The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, the hosts broke down the high‑stakes corporate war between Netflix and Paramount over Warner Bros. Discovery — a fight that could reshape not just Hollywood, but American politics:

The Battle: Netflix has struck a massive $72–82 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and HBO, while Paramount countered with a hostile bid worth over $108 billion.

CNN’s Fate: Under the proposed terms, CNN and other cable networks would spin off into a new company called Discovery Global, leaving their future uncertain. Paramount has hinted at interest in merging CNN with CBS News, which could dramatically shift its editorial directionTheWrap.

HBO’s Future: If Netflix wins, it would gain control of HBO and HBO Max, potentially merging them into its own platform. This could alter the tone and style of HBO programming, raising questions about whether Netflix’s global brand would dilute HBO’s traditional prestige.

Political Implications: Clay and Buck emphasized that whoever controls CNN and HBO controls two of the most influential cultural and political megaphones in America.

A Netflix‑owned HBO might lean into globalized, entertainment‑driven content.

A Paramount‑owned CNN could align more closely with CBS News, reshaping its political coverage.

The Big Picture: Beyond entertainment, this battle is about media power and narrative control. The outcome could influence how millions of Americans consume news and culture — from political debates on CNN to social commentary on HBO.

The takeaway: Clay and Buck framed the Netflix vs. Paramount showdown not just as a corporate merger, but as a political tug‑of‑war over media influence, with CNN and HBO at the center of America’s cultural battlefield.