#acquisition

Hollywood's entertainment industry is increasingly adopting a private equity model. This approach involves acquiring companies, consolidating them, and then slashing costs to extract value. This strategy has led to significant layoffs and debt accumulation, mirroring past failures in other sectors like retail and healthcare. Executives are criticized for enriching themselves while thousands of employees face job losses. The article questions whether these actions are saving Hollywood or dismantling it for profit.

Los Angeles, California

https://theankler.com/how-many-layoffs-does-hollywood-need-to-save-itself/

Use your favorite AI to analyze AT&Ts business savvy with regard to AT&T Mexico. “Massive Destruction of Capital” is probably my favorite term that was used in its analysis. Par for the course. It is literally THE ONLY THING that Stankey and team are good at. And they excel at it. And no one is EVER held accountable to the shareholders by the BOD. EVER.

“ • The Entry (2015): AT&T aggressively entered the market by acquiring Iusacell for $2.5 billion and Nextel Mexico for $1.875 billion, totaling roughly $4.375 billion in headline acquisition costs.
• The Exit (2026): After more than a decade of operations, AT&T agreed to sell the unit to a consortium of Grupo Televisa and Fintech Holdings for just $2 billion in cash.
This means AT&T recovered less than half of its original purchase price, completely erasing over $2.3 billion in asset value. This calculation doesn't even account for the billions of additional dollars AT&T poured into building out its Mexican 4G/5G infrastructure and funding years of operating losses over the last 11 years“

https://seekingalpha.com/news/4652683-att-to-sell-att-mexico-to-grupo-televisa-and-fintech-holdings-for-2b-in-cash?share_source=shared_news

Have we learned anything from the past, or are we watching the same movie replay in real-time?
Look at what's happening right now:

The Stock & Management: The stock has taken a beating recently, but management continues to push the same polished slides about strategic growth and operational excellence. Where is the real strategy?

Integration Disaster 2.0: Remember years ago when acquisitions were absorbed so poorly that systems broke, product lines stagnated, and teams were left in absolute limbo? We are walking straight into that exact same trap with our recent acquisitions. Instead of actual operational integration, we're getting fragmented teams, redundant leadership, and chaos in field operations.

The "Digital" Transformation Mirage: Executive leadership loves preaching "technology and digitization," but what do we actually have to show for it? The VP of Digital was quietly let go earlier this year after hyped tenure that produced virtually zero tangible, market-ready tech. If digital is our future, why is there no real, groundbreaking software or tech hitting the market? Who is actually steering this ship?

Is this just executive posturing to boost short-term metrics before another round of restructuring, or does anyone internally see a real path forward?

Just how widespread are the issues, are you seeing trainwrecks in your own product lines future? Be honest, open your eyes and look beyond this day/week/month - are you actually seeing progress?

https://theconversation.com/why-the-paramount-warner-merger-is-a-problem-for-democracy-293798

https://finimize.com/content/humana-brings-blackrock-in-to-run-150-centerwell-clinics

“
BlackRock’s HPS Investment Partners is buying Welsh Carson’s stake for $2.8 billion, with CenterWell keeping day-to-day operations and a 2028 option to buy clinics.

What's going on here?
Humana is bringing BlackRock’s HPS Investment Partners into a new joint venture that will own and operate nearly 150 CenterWell Senior Primary Care clinics.
What does this mean?
The health insurer said the new setup replaces its current clinic ventures with Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a private equity firm, with HPS buying that stake for $2.8 billion. Even with HPS as majority owner, CenterWell will keep a minority stake and continue running the clinics day to day, while the partners add capital over the next two years to support existing sites, open new locations, and pursue acquisitions.
“

Airtable's new owner, Bending Spoons, is implementing significant layoffs. The company's product leader stated that smaller teams and AI integration are key to the revised strategy. Employees departing will receive substantial separation packages. This move follows Bending Spoons' acquisition of Airtable in August. The exact number of affected employees has not been disclosed.

San Francisco, California

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/airtables-owner-laying-off-large-211016844.html

Israeli cybersecurity firm XM Cyber is undergoing a significant restructuring following the sale of its intellectual property to CrowdStrike for $600 million. This deal will result in substantial layoffs as the company adjusts its operations. Employees holding stock options are expected to receive payouts totaling tens of millions of dollars. Those who remain with the company will be offered retention bonuses to ensure continuity. The restructuring will see most employees stay with the Schwarz Group, while a smaller portion will transition to CrowdStrike.

https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/0754rmxos

Thousands? Tens of thousands?

Danish brewing group Carlsberg has agreed to acquire JI Pepsi Cola Bottler Armenia and Georgia-based Iberia Refreshments from investment group Revery, marking an expansion of its business in the South Caucasus.

https://caspianpost.com/georgia/carlsberg-to-acquire-pepsico-bottlers-in-armenia-and-georgia

I haven't seen any change since the new CEO came on board... This place is a sinking ship and now I don't hold any hope now. In my view a takeover is inevitable.

What is your thoughtful guess of whick bank will take over Truist?

Actually I think citi makes a lot of sense.

What other big accounts will Pepsi lose this year or next? Picked up Subway and lost Costco, Marriott…what’s next?

Seriously, how does it make sense to pay roughly $110 billion for Warner Bros. Discovery when the company has been struggling financially for years?

WBD reported billions in net losses in 2023 and 2024. Yes, it returned to a profit in 2025, but that included a substantial gain from debt extinguishment. Meanwhile, traditional cable TV keeps declining, streaming is brutally competitive, and the combined company will have a mountain of debt to deal with.

The justification seems to be synergies, cost-cutting, and the value of HBO, Warner Bros., DC, and the content library. But those savings are projections, not guarantees.

So the strategy is to take two companies facing major challenges, combine them, load up on financing, and hope that cutting costs will somehow fix the underlying problems?

Maybe the IP is worth a fortune. But valuable franchises don't automatically translate into sustainable cash flow, especially when the business model is changing so rapidly.

And when the promised synergies arrive, how much of that will come from layoffs and restructuring?

Genuinely curious how people think this deal makes financial sense.

Will the principles try to bundle and divest so they retire comfortably. CN Permian continue to outperform? Will Suriname be sold to Shell?

Wow. Wasn't aware of this. This says alot of their future. Pretty grim, imo.

https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/amazon-buys-office-and-data-center-site-in-maryland-from-t-rowe/

Stanley knows this business, Stankey has a plan.

The recent merger of Skydance, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery has created a new media giant with extensive sports broadcasting rights. This consolidation brings together significant assets from CBS Sports and T-T, leading to anticipated changes in programming and staffing. Executives expect a substantial streamlining of operations and a potential reduction in broadcast rights as the new entity seeks to realize promised financial synergies. The full impact on sports fans and the industry remains to be seen, but significant adjustments are already underway.

New York, NY

https://nypost.com/2026/10/09/sports/cbs-sports-t-t-sports-merger-expected-to-be-bloodbath/

Boots took over Walgreens using Walgreen's money to do so: Walgreens paid Boots 11.6 billion dollars and will now sell boots for 8.9 billion.

Legacy wireless is doomed. SpaceX bought TMO’s 800mhz spectrum previously purchased by Grain, specifically for in building penetration.

Any possible impact on the existing contracts? Heard from a trusted internal source that WPP has been awarded the AOR. How true is that? Seems more job cuts are on the way

SpaceX reached a deal to buy cellular spectrum licenses from investment firm Grain Management, its biggest move yet into a wireless market dominated by traditional telecom companies.

The U.S. licenses, which are in the 800-megahertz band, are tailored for wireless service from cellphone towers rather than satellites. The spectrum could serve SpaceX’s stated ambition of moving its Starlink satellite service beyond broadband into the wireless market to compete with the likes of AT&T & Verizon.

U.S. cellphone carrier stocks sank on the news. Shares in AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile all fell more than 6% after the post-close announcement. SpaceX shares climbed about 3% to $165.10 after hours.

Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile stock just dropped 7% after-hours after
@SpaceX
announced that it has acquired spectrum licenses, bringing it closer to becoming a full-fledged mobile carrier in the U.S.

Starlink Mobile is about to change the game.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/08/spacex-spectrum-license-att-verizon-tmobile.html

The truth is UP wants out of everything but the intermodal game. The "merger" is nothing more that a plan to build a coast to coast intermodal railroad. Once/if NS is acquired, UP plans on selling off all the manifest, grain coal and industry work to shortlines. This will allow Vena to cut even deeper. 50%+ of all transportation n maintenance jobs gone.
The promise of jobs for life is horseshite. Even when furloughed you are still technically employed by UP, you still have a "job"
Microman and the rat have no intention nor ability to grow UP

Following its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Skydance leadership has informed employees of impending layoffs. The integration of the two large entertainment companies necessitates difficult workforce decisions. Skydance aims to achieve significant cost savings within three years. Overlapping corporate functions are identified as key areas for efficiency improvements. The company has pledged to handle the layoff process thoughtfully and respectfully.

New York, NY

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/skydance-warner-bros-paramount-layoffs-267639.html

McClatchy Media Company has implemented significant layoffs across its Central Valley newspapers, including the Sacramento Bee and Fresno Bee. These workforce reductions are part of a broader reorganization strategy following the company's acquisition by Chatham Asset Management. The company is increasing its use of artificial intelligence on its platforms, which is a factor in the decision-making process for these cuts. Union leaders report that staff reductions are substantial, potentially up to 40%, impacting crucial local reporting roles. These layoffs raise concerns about the future of in-depth local journalism and the community's access to vital news.

Fresno, California

https://fresnoalliance.com/fresno-bee-reporting-impaired-by-mcclatchy-layoffs/

I have read the reorg email 5 times. There is no way they are actually claiming they will "invest in AI startups", right? However many years we're into this AI thing, where the major players have already emerged, with them not being able to complete a single divesture in the last three quarters, with debt still very much a problem, debt brought by too many acquisitions, they will invest in AI startups?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!? Whats next, memecoin rugpulling?! With what money will they execute this?! How are shareholders happy with a strategy of "we waisted a bunch of your money just buying whatever we thought we liked but we're no longer doing that, now we're only buying like a small part of companies who are just starting and might fail spectacularly in two months".

Its like watching someone sober relapse.

So after the farm has been fully bet on ai, it's now up to us remaining & surviving employees asking ourselves what we can do to make this happen.

Pretty amazing after getting hit with a number of layoff waves - and likely more to come after a strategic shift to replace as many employees as possible with ai - plus reorgs after reorgs that just don't make any sense at all and an acquisition that seems to make less and less sense with every day.

Alas, what was leadership all about again?

McCormick is progressing with its planned combination with Unilever's Foods business. The company has established the future leadership team and operating structure for the merged entity. This deal is projected to yield approximately $600 million in annual cost savings. The transaction is anticipated to be finalized by mid-2027, pending regulatory approvals. Specific impacts on Maryland jobs or local operations have not yet been detailed.

Hunt Valley, MD

https://patch.com/maryland/baltimore/old-bay-maker-advances-merger-plans-targets-600m-annual-savings

Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger closes after nearly yearlong battle, paving the way for Skydance

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/article/paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-closes-after-nearly-yearlong-battle-paving-the-way-for-skydance-114120057.html

What impact could this have on our people and our business?

Changing IBM’s CEO alone will not fix its underlying product problem: customers need compelling reasons to choose—and keep paying for—its technology. Recent acquisition Hashicoprp Terraform faces OpenTofu, and IBM’s software must justify its additional cost against cloud-native alternatives. In my view, IBM Bob’s enterprise proposition pales beside Claude Code using Claude models through Amazon Bedrock, supplemented by Martin AI for easier token budgeting, prompt and plugin libraries, and usage leaderboards. That combination addresses both developer productivity and enterprise adoption; Bob must demonstrate a compelling advantage beyond access to models that IBM itself sources from providers such as Anthropic. A leadership change cannot substitute for differentiated products and clear customer value. The board should seriously explore selling IBM while its enterprise relationships and established assets still command substantial value, rather than asking shareholders to finance another turnaround promise.

• Synopsys shares jump 13% after its fiscal 2027 outlook.
• AWS signed a chip-design deal worth more than $1 billion.
• Synopsys plans to buy back about $1 billion of shares.

https://invezz.com/au/news/2026/10/01/synopsys-stock-jumps-13percent-as-openai-and-aws-deals-boost-outlook/

https://thequantuminsider.com/2026/09/16/anderon-1-billion-chips-award-quantum-wafer-manufacturing/

Anderon Finalizes $1 Billion CHIPS Award for Quantum Wafer Manufacturing

The Minnesota-based lettuce grower Revol Greens has postponed its planned October 4th closure. This delay is due to ongoing negotiations for a potential deal that could keep the company operational. Nearly 100 employees were initially slated for layoffs. The company hopes to finalize this transaction to save jobs. If the deal fails, layoffs are expected between October 15th and October 29th, 2026.

Owatonna, Minnesota

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/10/02/revol-greens-may-remain-open-as-minnesota-lettuce-grower-postpones-closure

So the gossip is high but what do people here feel likely.

Neo Next Plus is 100% for ETAP but do they want more.

Shell want FPSO Glen Lyon.

So who wants Clair area?

What’s happening with this BU they all seem to be busy. Does anyone have real insight the rumours of a sell off keep circling. Their performance tool is world class loadrunner. ALM is used by all TOP 500

WSJ says Authentic Brands discussed a bid above $20 a share for $MAT, or about $6 billion. No deal is certain after a CEO change.

So I’m seeing BT offering roles to oversee the JV and individuals from BT announcing they’re working on it but radio silence in Verizon… no roles being advertised, nobody being appointed. Doesn’t look like a joint venture it looks like a takeover. I doubt anyone from BT is going to understand VRD or what’s going on under the hood….