Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) News Today

Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD) shares are trading lower amid a mix of analyst updates, partnership news and takeover chatter. Investors are weighing positive ratings and new ad‐sales deals against cautionary comments on big‐media mergers and a pullback in early trading.

• Positive Sentiment: Guggenheim maintained its Buy rating on WBD, emphasizing confidence in the company’s long‐term growth trajectory. Guggenheim Maintains WBD Buy Recommendation
• Positive Sentiment: Sky Media was appointed as Warner Bros. Discovery’s ad‐sales partner in the UK and Ireland, starting in 2026, bolstering the company’s European advertising reach. Sky Media to Handle WBD Ad Sales in UK and Ireland
• Positive Sentiment: Warner Bros. Motion Pictures chairs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy re‐upped their contracts, with CEO David Zaslav publicly celebrating the leadership continuity. De Luca & Abdy Re-Up Contracts
• Positive Sentiment: Weiss Ratings upgraded WBD from a “sell (D+)” to a “hold (C-)” rating, signaling reduced downside risk at the current share price of $17.89. Weiss Ratings
• Positive Sentiment: Sources report that Paramount and Skydance are in talks with Apollo and other buyout firms about a potential $60 billion bid for WBD, underscoring strong takeover interest. Paramount Skydance Talk $60B Bid
• Neutral Sentiment: Insider reports suggest a merger between Warner Bros. and Paramount is “practically inevitable,” though details and timing remain unclear. Paramount-WBD Merger Update
• Neutral Sentiment: David Ellison’s takeover bid for Warner Bros. is taking shape, but there’s no clear future role for CEO David Zaslav, introducing governance uncertainty. Ellison’s WBD Bid Takes Shape
• Negative Sentiment: Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters downplayed big‐media mergers, noting they “don’t have an amazing track record,” dampening hopes for a strategic tie-up. Peters on Big-Media Mergers
• Negative Sentiment: WBD shares pulled back by about 4.3% on heavy volume, prompting discussions over whether to hold or sell. WBD Trading Down 4.3%

Overall, Warner Bros. Discovery faces a tug-of-war between upbeat analyst opinions and partnership wins on one side, and merger skepticism plus near-term price weakness on the other. Investors should monitor upcoming earnings, M&A developments and how management navigates takeover interest.