The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Dec. 6, edition that Netflix plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming business, a move that will impact Hollywood and the media landscape. A New York Times dispatch to The Globe reports that the cash-and-stock deal values the business at $82.7-billion (U.S.), including debt. The acquisition is set to close after WBD separates its cable unit, expected by the third quarter of 2026, resulting in a new public company for channels like CNN, TNT and Discovery. Netflix, with over 300 million subscribers, is the largest paid streaming service. Acquiring WBD assets would give it greater leverage over theatre owners and industry unions, potentially forcing smaller companies to merge to compete. The acquisition would complete tech companies' conquest of Hollywood. Rather than buy studios, these firms have largely built their presence independently. In 2022, Amazon finalized its $8.5-billion acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, home to the James Bond and Rocky franchises. The deal came after a bidding war between Netflix, Comcast and Paramount, with Netflix mainly offering cash in its improved bid. Any deal would need approval from federal regulators.