Future of Media in 2026: Anonymous Executives Share Bold Forecasts
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 18 2025
0mins
Source: CNBC
Annual Predictions: CNBC gathered predictions from 16 influential media executives regarding mergers and acquisitions, sports developments, and other miscellaneous forecasts for the upcoming year, emphasizing the anonymity of the sources to encourage candidness.
M&A Forecasts: Notable predictions include Paramount potentially acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, Apple buying NBCUniversal, and Amazon or YouTube acquiring NBCUniversal assets, reflecting a trend of consolidation in the media landscape.
Sports Predictions: Executives forecasted expansions in college sports tournaments, new NFL media deals, and potential lockouts in the WNBA and MLB due to collective bargaining disagreements, indicating significant changes in sports broadcasting and management.
Leadership Changes: Predictions also included potential leadership shifts, such as Josh D'Amaro succeeding Bob Iger as Disney's CEO and Bari Weiss launching her own CBS News program, highlighting anticipated changes in media leadership dynamics.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy WBD?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on WBD
Wall Street analysts forecast WBD stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
9 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 28.110
Low
14.75
Averages
24.98
High
30.00
Current: 28.110
Low
14.75
Averages
24.98
High
30.00
About WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. is a global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes a portfolio of branded content across television, film, streaming and gaming. The Company's segments include Studios, Networks and DTC. Studios segment primarily consists of the production and release of feature films for initial exhibition in theaters, production and initial licensing of television programs to its networks/DTC services as well as third parties, distribution of its films and television programs to various third party and internal television and streaming services, distribution through the home entertainment market, and others. Networks segment primarily consists of its domestic and international television networks. DTC segment primarily consists of its premium pay-TV and streaming services. Its brands and products include Discovery Channel, Max, DC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Warner Bros., and Cartoon Network.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Wuthering Heights Achieves Strong Box Office Performance
- Box Office Revenue: According to Comscore, Wuthering Heights garnered an estimated $34.8 million in domestic box office over the three-day weekend, indicating a strong market response, with projections suggesting it will reach $40 million by Monday, reflecting high audience interest in the film.
- Market Impact: This box office performance not only exceeds industry expectations but may also provide financial support for subsequent marketing efforts and sequel development, thereby enhancing the production company's position in a competitive film market.
- Audience Feedback: The film's success has attracted a large audience, likely driving sales of related merchandise and spin-off products, further enhancing brand value and market influence, particularly among younger viewers.
- Industry Trends: With the trend of audiences returning to theaters post-pandemic accelerating, the film's performance may signal a positive sign for the recovery of the film industry, encouraging more investors to focus on the development and release of new projects.
See More
Warner Bros. Considers Reopening Sales Talks with Paramount
- Sales Talks Reopening: Warner Bros. is considering reopening sales discussions with Paramount Skydance after receiving an amended offer with improved terms, indicating a serious evaluation of potential transactions.
- Increased Acquisition Bid: Paramount has enhanced its initial all-cash offer of $30 per share by adding a ticking fee of 25 cents per share for any delays, potentially amounting to approximately $650 million in cash value by the end of 2026, demonstrating its commitment to the acquisition.
- Termination Fee Coverage: Paramount has pledged to cover the $2.8 billion termination fee owed to Netflix if the Warner Bros. deal falls through, while also eliminating $1.5 billion in possible debt refinancing costs, significantly reducing Warner Bros.' financial risks and enhancing the deal's appeal.
- Intensified Competition: This marks the first time Warner Bros. has considered whether Paramount's offer could lead to better terms from Netflix, highlighting the dynamic nature of acquisition negotiations in the competitive media landscape.
See More
Warner Bros. Achieves Ninth Consecutive Box Office Success with 'Wuthering Heights'
- Box Office Success: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Wuthering Heights achieved the studio’s ninth consecutive number one box office debut over the holiday weekend.
- Domestic Earnings: The film is projected to earn approximately $40 million domestically by the end of the holiday period.
See More
French President Celebrates Successful Rocket Launch of 32 Amazon Leo Satellites
- Successful Rocket Launch: The French president celebrated the successful launch of Europe's most powerful rocket, which deployed 32 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit, marking a significant advancement in Europe's space capabilities and enhancing its competitiveness in the global space market.
- Pause on Tech Security Measures: Ahead of the Trump-Xi Jinping meeting, the Trump administration reportedly paused several critical technology security measures targeting China, a decision that could influence the future trajectory of U.S.-China tech relations and reduce market uncertainties.
- Apple Court Victory: Apple secured a courtroom win as a jury rejected claims from Optis Wireless that it infringed on 4G wireless patents, a result that will help protect Apple's intellectual property and strengthen its market position.
- AI Industry Developments: Elon Musk criticized AI startup Anthropic for alleged bias while announcing a $30 billion funding round that pushed its valuation to $380 billion, highlighting the intense competition and rapid evolution within the AI sector.
See More
Warner Bros. Acquisition Battle Intensifies
- Investor Intervention: Activist investor Ancora Holdings has built a $200 million stake in Warner Bros. Discovery and plans to vote against Netflix's acquisition proposal, potentially influencing shareholder votes and altering the acquisition dynamics.
- Acquisition Agreement Details: The agreement between Netflix and Warner Bros. is valued at nearly $83 billion, including approximately $10 billion in debt, while Paramount has made a competing all-cash offer of $30 per share, totaling about $108.4 billion, highlighting the intensity of the competition.
- Regulatory Challenges: Warner Bros. faces regulatory scrutiny that could impact Netflix's acquisition process, with Ancora expressing concerns about Netflix's ability to secure regulatory approval, which may lead to delays or failure of the deal.
- Shareholder Meeting Outlook: Warner Bros. plans to review Paramount's updated proposal, with a shareholder meeting expected to take place in late March or early April to vote, while Netflix aims to complete the acquisition within 12 to 18 months, but regulatory approval remains an uncertain factor.
See More
Activist Investor Challenges Netflix's Warner Bros. Acquisition
- Investor Stake: Activist investor Ancora Holdings recently disclosed a $200 million stake in Warner Bros. Discovery, which, while only about 0.3% of the company, could sway shareholder support against Netflix's acquisition proposal.
- Acquisition Controversy: Ancora plans to vote against Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros.' film and TV assets for nearly $83 billion in enterprise value, advocating for Warner to resume negotiations with Paramount, potentially delaying the acquisition process.
- Paramount's Competitive Strategy: Paramount has enhanced its offer by agreeing to pay Warner $650 million in total
See More
Wuthering Heights Achieves Strong Box Office Performance
- Box Office Revenue: According to Comscore, Wuthering Heights garnered an estimated $34.8 million in domestic box office over the three-day weekend, indicating a strong market response, with projections suggesting it will reach $40 million by Monday, reflecting high audience interest in the film.
- Market Impact: This box office performance not only exceeds industry expectations but may also provide financial support for subsequent marketing efforts and sequel development, thereby enhancing the production company's position in a competitive film market.
- Audience Feedback: The film's success has attracted a large audience, likely driving sales of related merchandise and spin-off products, further enhancing brand value and market influence, particularly among younger viewers.
- Industry Trends: With the trend of audiences returning to theaters post-pandemic accelerating, the film's performance may signal a positive sign for the recovery of the film industry, encouraging more investors to focus on the development and release of new projects.
See More
Warner Bros. Considers Reopening Sales Talks with Paramount
- Sales Talks Reopening: Warner Bros. is considering reopening sales discussions with Paramount Skydance after receiving an amended offer with improved terms, indicating a serious evaluation of potential transactions.
- Increased Acquisition Bid: Paramount has enhanced its initial all-cash offer of $30 per share by adding a ticking fee of 25 cents per share for any delays, potentially amounting to approximately $650 million in cash value by the end of 2026, demonstrating its commitment to the acquisition.
- Termination Fee Coverage: Paramount has pledged to cover the $2.8 billion termination fee owed to Netflix if the Warner Bros. deal falls through, while also eliminating $1.5 billion in possible debt refinancing costs, significantly reducing Warner Bros.' financial risks and enhancing the deal's appeal.
- Intensified Competition: This marks the first time Warner Bros. has considered whether Paramount's offer could lead to better terms from Netflix, highlighting the dynamic nature of acquisition negotiations in the competitive media landscape.
See More
Warner Bros. Achieves Ninth Consecutive Box Office Success with 'Wuthering Heights'
- Box Office Success: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Wuthering Heights achieved the studio’s ninth consecutive number one box office debut over the holiday weekend.
- Domestic Earnings: The film is projected to earn approximately $40 million domestically by the end of the holiday period.
See More
French President Celebrates Successful Rocket Launch of 32 Amazon Leo Satellites
- Successful Rocket Launch: The French president celebrated the successful launch of Europe's most powerful rocket, which deployed 32 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit, marking a significant advancement in Europe's space capabilities and enhancing its competitiveness in the global space market.
- Pause on Tech Security Measures: Ahead of the Trump-Xi Jinping meeting, the Trump administration reportedly paused several critical technology security measures targeting China, a decision that could influence the future trajectory of U.S.-China tech relations and reduce market uncertainties.
- Apple Court Victory: Apple secured a courtroom win as a jury rejected claims from Optis Wireless that it infringed on 4G wireless patents, a result that will help protect Apple's intellectual property and strengthen its market position.
- AI Industry Developments: Elon Musk criticized AI startup Anthropic for alleged bias while announcing a $30 billion funding round that pushed its valuation to $380 billion, highlighting the intense competition and rapid evolution within the AI sector.
See More
Warner Bros. Acquisition Battle Intensifies
- Investor Intervention: Activist investor Ancora Holdings has built a $200 million stake in Warner Bros. Discovery and plans to vote against Netflix's acquisition proposal, potentially influencing shareholder votes and altering the acquisition dynamics.
- Acquisition Agreement Details: The agreement between Netflix and Warner Bros. is valued at nearly $83 billion, including approximately $10 billion in debt, while Paramount has made a competing all-cash offer of $30 per share, totaling about $108.4 billion, highlighting the intensity of the competition.
- Regulatory Challenges: Warner Bros. faces regulatory scrutiny that could impact Netflix's acquisition process, with Ancora expressing concerns about Netflix's ability to secure regulatory approval, which may lead to delays or failure of the deal.
- Shareholder Meeting Outlook: Warner Bros. plans to review Paramount's updated proposal, with a shareholder meeting expected to take place in late March or early April to vote, while Netflix aims to complete the acquisition within 12 to 18 months, but regulatory approval remains an uncertain factor.
See More
Activist Investor Challenges Netflix's Warner Bros. Acquisition
- Investor Stake: Activist investor Ancora Holdings recently disclosed a $200 million stake in Warner Bros. Discovery, which, while only about 0.3% of the company, could sway shareholder support against Netflix's acquisition proposal.
- Acquisition Controversy: Ancora plans to vote against Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros.' film and TV assets for nearly $83 billion in enterprise value, advocating for Warner to resume negotiations with Paramount, potentially delaying the acquisition process.
- Paramount's Competitive Strategy: Paramount has enhanced its offer by agreeing to pay Warner $650 million in total
See More
