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Warner Bros. Discovery shines at Golden Globes amid corporate uncertainty and bidding wars

A night of triumph for Warner Bros. films masked deeper industry tensions. As Netflix and Paramount Skydance clash over the studio’s future, the Globes revealed Hollywood’s shifting power dynamics.

The image shows two men standing next to each other in front of an old movie projector. They are...
The image shows two men standing next to each other in front of an old movie projector. They are both wearing blazers and ties, and the image is in black and white. In the background, there are a few more people, pillars, and curtains.

Warner Bros. Discovery shines at Golden Globes amid corporate uncertainty and bidding wars

The 83rd Golden Globe Awards celebrated top film and television achievements while industry tensions simmered in the background. Warner Bros. Discovery dominated the ceremony with multiple wins, including for One Battle After Another and The Pitt. Meanwhile, offstage discussions focused on the company’s potential sale, with Netflix and Paramount Skydance both vying for control.

Host Nikki Glaser kept the mood light with sharp jokes about Hollywood power struggles, while Snoop Dogg made a memorable appearance presenting the first-ever podcasting award. The night also highlighted subtle divisions, as winners like Stellan Skarsgård and Ryan Coogler quietly championed traditional cinema over streaming giants.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s films and series took centre stage, with One Battle After Another securing four major trophies. These included best musical or comedy, best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress. The film’s success reinforced its position as a frontrunner for the upcoming Oscars.

The Pitt also had a strong showing, winning best drama series and best drama actor for Noah Wyle. The victories cemented its reputation as a standout in this year’s awards race. Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet claimed best actor for Marty Supreme, boosting his chances for further accolades.

Behind the scenes, the potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery loomed large. Netflix, led by Ted Sarandos, had submitted an £82 billion bid in December 2025, which the studio reportedly favoured. Rival suitor Paramount Skydance, backed by David and Larry Ellison, countered with a hostile £108 billion offer just before the Globes. Yet, throughout the evening, none of the CEOs—David Zaslav, Sarandos, or David Ellison—were acknowledged in speeches, hinting at unresolved tensions.

The ceremony also marked a first for podcasting, with Good Hang with Amy Poehler taking home the inaugural award. Snoop Dogg, presenting the prize, playfully remarked on his own legendary status in music. Host Nikki Glaser, meanwhile, kept the audience laughing with quips about the Warner Bros. sale, CBS News, and even Leonardo DiCaprio’s enduring star power.

While the night celebrated artistic success, the unspoken rivalry between streaming platforms and traditional studios added an undercurrent of drama. Winners like Skarsgård and Coogler subtly emphasised the value of the big-screen experience, a stance that seemed to contrast with Netflix’s growing influence.

The 83rd Golden Globes showcased Warner Bros. Discovery’s creative strength while its corporate future remained uncertain. With Netflix and Paramount Skydance locked in a bidding war, the industry’s direction could shift significantly in the coming months.

The awards also set the stage for the Oscars, with One Battle After Another and Timothée Chalamet emerging as key contenders. Meanwhile, the introduction of a podcasting category signalled the Globes’ evolving recognition of new media.

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