The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Dec. 9, edition that Paramount Skydance launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, sparking a competitive showdown with Netflix for control of the company behind HBO, CNN and DC Studios. An Associated Press dispatch to The Globe reports that Paramount's bid of $74.4-billion (U.S.) aims to bypass Warner's top managers, appealing directly to shareholders and offering more than Netflix's recent $72-billion (U.S.) purchase, including Warner's cable business that Netflix is not interested in. Paramount decided to pursue a hostile bid after several offers to Warner management went unanswered since the company's October announcement of its openness to being sold. Paramount highlighted in its appeal to shareholders that its offer includes $18-billion (U.S.) more in cash than Netflix's bid and is more likely to pass antitrust scrutiny under the Trump administration. Netflix, on Monday, had no comment on Paramount's challenge but previously downplayed concerns about regulatory opposition to its potential merger with HBO Max. On the weekend, President Donald Trump said a Netflix-Warner combo "could be a problem" because of the size of the combined market share.