Netflix Looking To Bid For Warner Bros.

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Netflix is actively exploring a bid for Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming business, retaining a financial advisor and gaining access to financial information, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

The video streaming service has hired Moelis & Co, the investment bank that advised Skydance Media on its successful bid for Paramount Global, to evaluate a prospective offer, two of the sources said. Netflix also has been granted access to the data room, which contains the financial details needed to make a bid, according to two of the sources familiar with the matter.

Warner Bros Discovery and Moelis declined to comment. Netflix could not be reached for comment.

We’ve been very clear in the past that we have no interest in owning legacy media networks

Owning Warner Bros’ studio business would give Netflix control over some of Hollywood’s most successful stories and characters, including the Harry Potter and DC Comics franchises. Warner Bros’ prolific television studio also produces many of Netflix’s hits, including original series like Running Point, You and Maid. HBO and its companion streaming service would add more prestige dramas, and subscribers.

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos told investors last week that while the company is traditionally “more builders than buyers”, it does evaluate acquisitions based on criteria such as the size of the opportunity and whether it would strengthen the company’s entertainment offerings.

Sarandos indicated Netflix would not be interested in acquiring Warner Bros Discovery’s cable television networks, which include CNN, TNT, Food Network and Animal Planet.

Unsolicited offers

“We’ve been very clear in the past that we have no interest in owning legacy media networks,” Sarandos said in the company’s third-quarter investor video. “There is no change there.”

Warner Bros Discovery announced last week that it would begin evaluating options, after receiving a trio of unsolicited offers from Paramount Skydance to acquire the entire company.

The company said its board would consider whether to move forward with its planned split, which would separate the Warner Bros film and television studios, HBO and the companion HBO Max streaming service from its television business, or pursue a sale of all or parts of the company.

Comcast president Mike Cavanagh told investors on Thursday the company is evaluating media assets that would be “complementary” to its existing business. He also appeared to dismiss those who are sceptical of Comcast winning regulatory approval, saying “more things are viable than maybe some of the public commentary that’s out there”. 

Ridiculousness Cancelled On MTV After 46 Seasons

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“Ridiculousness” has been canceled at MTV after 14 years and 46 seasons.

The comedy clip series, hosted by Rob Dyrdek, will continue into 2026 with previously shot first-run episodes, but no new episodes will be produced moving forward. Season 46 will be the last installment of the series as reruns continue to air on MTV and select seasons stream on Paramount+.

According to a source familiar with the decision, the cancellation comes as MTV (which is under the Paramount umbrella) looks to feature “a more curated slate of content” that “embraces its experimental DNA” and represents “different creative voices” and a “refreshed programming.”

What that means is unclear, including whether this is a sign MTV will pull back from its over reliance on “Ridiculousness” in its schedule.

With more than 1,700 episodes, “Ridiculousness” is one of the longest-running series in MTV history. Its reruns have long dominated MTV’s linear programming, as the network pulled back from original content and eliminated any remaining music-oriented fare. As Variety reported in 2020, the series has taken up as much as 113 hours (or more) a week out of the network’s 168-hour lineup. To many, the show became a symbol of the zombie-fication of MTV and its lack of original programming.

One day before news of the cancellation broke, Bloomberg reported that MTV was paying Dyrdek, a former professional skateboarder, at least $32.5 million per year, according to court documents reviewed by the publication.

Per Bloomberg, that paycheck includes bonuses, a $21,000-per-episode executive producer fee and an escalating $61,000-per-episode on-camera fee. (Those fees add up when the network orders hundreds of new episodes per year.)

“Ridiculousness” debuted in August 2011 and was co-hosted by Chanel West Coast and then Lauren “Lolo” Wood. The series showcases viral videos of failed stunts and “Jackass”-style buffoonery, as Dyrdek and co. deliver comedic analysis and mockery.

Killing “Ridiculousness” marks a big cutback for the network as Paramount restructures its brands after its $8 merger with David Ellison’s Skydance.

Inkholiso Coming Soon To Zee Zonke

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Zee Zonke, a Zulu dubbed Bollywood based channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises has announced the addition of a new series, Inkholiso. Known in India as Khulta Kali Khulena, it airs daily at 20:00 from Tuesday 11 November.

Synopsis for Inkholiso 

The show starts with the seemingly perfect wedding of Dr. Vikrant and Monica, an arranged marriage with family approval. However, the day of the wedding brings a dramatic twist: Vikrant learns that Monica is three months pregnant with another man's child.

Though he has the option to call off the wedding, Vikrant goes through with it to protect Monica and her family's honor. He keeps the secret from their families, and the two proceed with a difficult, complicated marriage.

The drama is further complicated by Monica's sister, Manasi, who later becomes close friends with Vikrant. This creates an ongoing conflict and jealousy for Monica.

Inkholiso premiered on Zee Marathi on 18 July 2016 and concluded on 16 September 2017 after 372 episodes. It starred Mayuri Deshmukh as Dr. Manasi Shashikant Deshpande, Omprakash Shinde as Dr. Vikrant Vijay Dalvi and Abhidnya Bhave as Monica Vikrant Dalvi.

Prior to its rollout, Zee One will be allocating a Tamil based series, Padamati's Love Story. It serves as a remake to Padamati Sandhya Raagam.

Reminder: Chrysalis Returns For Third And Final Season On eExtra

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eExtra, a South African based channel offering telenovelas from Turkey, India and Asia had announced the return of Chrysalis. With the series set to reach its climax with a third season on the channel from 18 November at 9PM.

Synopsis for the first episode of Chrysalis 

Nalan, who went to visit Sedat, who was in prison for fighting with Alp, feels guilty about what happened with Hayri on the wedding night. Rafet, who wants Sedat to be punished, is about to break the ties with Gülcihan. Muzo, who is in torment due to his experiences, has imprisoned himself in his room again. Hayri, who is looking for ways to communicate with Nalan, is happy when Nalan kisses him. The mysterious note that Nalan found in her room shows that the two of them are not the only ones who know what happened between her and Hayri.

It starred Burcu Biricik as Nalan, Cihangir Ceyhan as Hayri, Feyyaz Şerifoğlu as Sedat, Devrim Yakut as Gülcihan, Feri Baycu Güler as Döndü, Hamza Yazıcı as Tako, Hande Ataizi as Cana and Merve Polat as Billur.

The first season of Bloedspoor will conclude on 17 November with the third and final season of Chrysalis to replace it immediately after on 18 November 

In other developments, eMedia Investments unveiled a new Turkish drama for its eVOD streaming service, Lente Na Die Storm. It starred Demet Evgâr as Bahar Özden, Buğra Gülsoy as Evren Yalkın, Mehmet Yılmaz Ak as Timur Yavuzoğlu and Ecem Özkaya as Rengin Wallace.

Banni Chow Home Delivery Coming Soon To Star Life

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Star Life, an English dubbed Bollywood channel operated by JioStar has announced the addition of a new series Banni Chow Home Delivery from 8th November at 20:00 CAT.

Synopsis for Banni Chow Home Delivery

Banni has a catering and door-to-door food delivery business. She soon crosses paths with Yuvan, a mentally disabled man whom she eventually marries as a compromise. The show follows how Banni protects Yuvan from her in-laws, who mentally and physically abused him, and she explores his musical talent and decides to make him a rockstar despite his mental illness.

Agastya, a rockstar, enters their lives initially as a storm but later ends up falling for Banni. Yuvan’s childhood friend, Tulika, too returns, who loves and is loved by Kabir (Yuvan's split personality).

With Yuvan suffering from split personality disorder, the three of them aim to cure him, holding back their emotions just for Yuvan and Banni's happiness and union.

Based on the Bengali series Khukumoni Home Delivery, it starred Ulka Gupta as Banni Singh Rathod, Pravisht Mishra in dual roles as

Yuvan Singh Rathod and Kabir Singh Rathore, Riya Sharma as Dr. Tulika Anand and Arjit Taneja as Agastya Kapoor.

Banni Chow Home Delivery was broadcast on StarPlus on 30 May 2022 and concluded on 3 January 2023 after 202 half hour episodes. The series replaces Saras And Kumud on weeknights at 8PM CAT from 8 November.