Deal-Making and Bidding Wars Heat Up in Media and Tech

The media and tech landscapes are abuzz with activity, as companies and investors position themselves for growth and expansion. In the latest developments, Blackstone's Liftoff Mobile Inc. is weighing a new initial public offering (IPO) filing as soon as Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter. This move comes after the company withdrew its previous registration.

Meanwhile, a potential bidding war is brewing in the streaming space, as Warner Bros. has re-entered talks with Paramount, a move that could force Netflix into another competitive battle. This development was reported on "Bloomberg Open Interest" with Matt Miller and Dani Burger.

The renewed interest in Liftoff's IPO plans is a significant development, especially given the current market climate. The company's decision to withdraw its previous registration was seen as a cautious move, but the new filing could indicate a renewed sense of confidence in the market.

In the streaming space, the Warner Bros.-Paramount talks are being closely watched by industry observers. A deal between the two companies could have significant implications for the streaming landscape, potentially forcing Netflix to re-evaluate its strategy. Netflix has been a dominant player in the space, but the emergence of new competitors has increased pressure on the company to adapt.

The media and tech sectors are not the only areas seeing increased activity. Activist investors are also making their presence felt, with several major companies in their sights. Starboard is targeting TripAdvisor, while Elliott is building a major stake in Norwegian Cruise Line. Jana is also pushing for change at Fiserv.

In other news, Anthropic and the Pentagon have hit turbulence over surveillance fears, leading to a sell-off in software stocks. This development has been driven by concerns over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in surveillance, highlighting the growing scrutiny of tech companies and their role in society.

On Wall Street, a new trade is emerging, with sports teams becoming a hot asset class. According to Goldman Sachs, sports could be the next major area of investment, as companies and investors look for new opportunities for growth.

The confluence of these developments highlights the rapidly changing media and tech landscapes. As companies and investors navigate these shifts, one thing is clear: the pace of deal-making and innovation is unlikely to slow down anytime soon.

Sources:

• Bloomberg: "Warner, Paramount Spark Streaming Bidding War | Open Interest 2/17/2026"
• People familiar with the matter: Blackstone's Liftoff considering new IPO filing