Squawk Pod: 5 Things to Know Before the Opening Bell (12/10/2025)

Podcast: Squawk Pod
Host: CNBC
Date: December 10, 2025
Main Speakers: Andrew Ross Sorkin, News Reporters
Episode Theme: Your essential pre-market briefing – the top business headlines and developments influencing the day’s trading session, with fast analysis and expert insight.

Overview

This episode distills the five most significant stories shaping the trading landscape before Wall Street’s opening bell on December 10, 2025. From escalating acquisition drama in the media industry to major board changes and strategic pivots in tech and pharma, hosts break down fast-moving headlines with direct, market-minded context.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Intensifying Bidding War for Warner Brothers Discovery

(Starts 01:02)

• Context: Warner Brothers Discovery is in the acquisition crosshairs, with Netflix and Paramount-Skydance both in the running.
• Bloomberg reports both potential buyers indicated their ability to increase bids, upping acquisition stakes:

  “Bloomberg now reporting that both Netflix and Paramount Skydance have signaled they have the ability to raise their bids for the media giant.” – News Reporter [01:12]

• Mario Gabelli, noted media investor, tells Bloomberg he will likely tender his clients’ Warner Brothers Discovery shares to Paramount in an effort to escalate a competitive bidding scenario:

  “He’ll likely tender his clients’ Warner Brothers Discovery shares to Paramount in an effort to spark a bidding war for Warner.” – Andrew Sorkin [01:26]

2. SK Hynix Eyes U.S. Stock Listing

(Starts 01:28)

• SK Hynix, a leading computer memory maker and Nvidia supplier, considers a U.S. IPO to complement its current presence on South Korea’s stock market.
• News of the potential listing sent SK Hynix shares surging nearly 4%:

  “SK Hynix is considering now listing its shares in the U.S. in addition to its current stock market home…shares jumping on the back of that news, close to 4%.” – News Reporter [01:28]

3. Disney Expands Board with Former Apple COO

(Starts 01:38)

• Disney proposes to add Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer until his recent retirement, expanding its board to 11 members.
• Williams’ long tech operations pedigree is seen as a strategic advantage:

  “Disney nominating former Apple executive Jeff Williams to join its board…Williams served as Apple’s chief operating officer from 2015 until his retirement earlier this year.” – News Reporter [01:38]

4. Eli Lilly’s $6 Billion Bet on New Manufacturing

(Starts 01:58)

• Eli Lilly is channeling $6 billion into an Alabama plant to ramp up production of its pipeline anti-obesity pill and other drugs, signaling an aggressive bet on future pharma blockbuster status.

  “Eli Lilly saying it’s going to be spending $6 billion to build a manufacturing plant in Alabama—that’s to help increase production of its experimental anti-obesity pill and other drugs.” – Andrew Sorkin/News Reporter [01:58-02:00]

5. Delivery Hero’s Strategic Review

(Starts 02:12)

• European food delivery heavyweight Delivery Hero is considering partnerships or capital allocation strategies in assorted countries, hinting at possible divestitures or major moves.

  “European food delivery giant Hero saying that it’s evaluating its strategic options. Those options include partnerships for some operations in some countries and some capital allocation measures.” – News Reporter [02:12]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the media deal stakes:

  “He’ll likely tender his clients’ Warner Brothers Discovery shares to Paramount in an effort to spark a bidding war for Warner.”
  – Andrew Sorkin [01:26]

• On the market reaction:

  “…SK Hynix…shares jumping on the back of that News, close to 4%.”
  – News Reporter [01:28]

• On strategic recruitment:

  “…Disney nominating former Apple executive Jeff Williams to join its board…”
  – News Reporter [01:38]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Major Stories Intro – [01:02]
• Warner Brothers Discovery Bidding War – [01:12–01:26]
• SK Hynix U.S. Listing News – [01:28]
• Disney Board Nomination – [01:38]
• Eli Lilly Manufacturing Investment – [01:58]
• Delivery Hero Strategic Review – [02:12]

Conclusion/Tone

Delivered in the rapid-fire and market-centric tone characteristic of “Squawk Box,” this episode arms investors and business-watchers with the crucial developments and context required to navigate the trading day ahead, spotlighting not just the headlines but the competitive and strategic moves driving them.