WSJ Tech News Briefing – TNB Tech Minute:
Warner Reopens Deal Talks With Paramount
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Julie Chang
Episode Overview
In this episode of the WSJ Tech News Briefing, host Julie Chang reports on fast-moving developments in the media and technology sectors. The focus is on renewed acquisition talks between Warner Brothers Discovery and Paramount, a brewing bidding war that also involves Netflix. Additionally, the episode covers major investments by India’s Adani Group in sustainable data centers, and a new AI partnership between IT giant Infosys and AI firm Anthropic targeting regulated industries.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Warner Brothers Discovery Reopens Deal Talks With Paramount
- Resumed Negotiations: Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) is returning to the negotiating table with Paramount, reopening talks after Paramount’s improved acquisition bid.
- Bidding War Looms: Paramount has sweetened its previous all-cash hostile offer for WBD (almost $78 billion) and is now prepared to increase its bid to $31 per Warner share (from $30), subject to Warner agreeing to negotiate.
- Competitive Landscape: Netflix remains in the mix with a $72 billion bid targeting Warner’s movie and TV studios as well as HBO Max, and has labeled its own offer as “superior.”
- Negotiation Timeline: Netflix has provided Warner with a seven-day waiver to conduct discussions with other suitors, signaling openness to competition for now.
Notable Quote:
“Netflix has a $72 billion agreement to acquire Warner's movie and TV studios and HBO Max streaming service. It said in a statement that its offer remains superior, but has granted a seven day waiver for talks.”
— Julie Chang [00:54]
2. Adani Group’s $100 Billion Investment in Data Centers
- Record-breaking Commitment: Adani Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates, is pledging $100 billion to build extensive data center infrastructure, targeting completion by 2035.
- Renewable Focus: The initiative emphasizes large-scale data centers powered by renewable energy — the nation's single largest such investment announced so far.
- Global Partnerships: Adani aims to tap into existing partnerships with tech giants Google and Microsoft. The project targets expanding Adani’s data center portfolio to 5 gigawatts.
- Economic & Industry Impact: The company anticipates that this investment will catalyze further spending across supporting sectors: server manufacturing, electrical infrastructure, cloud platforms, and more over the next decade.
Notable Quote:
“The Indian conglomerate said today that the new initiative will build on partnerships with Google and Microsoft and aim to expand its data center portfolio to 5 gigawatts.”
— Julie Chang [01:20]
3. Infosys and Anthropic Partner to Deliver AI Services to Regulated Industries
- Initiative Launch: Infosys has inked a partnership with leading AI company Anthropic to co-develop and deliver AI services tailored for complex, regulated business sectors.
- Sector Focus: The collaboration launches in telecommunications, then expands into financial services, manufacturing, and software development.
- Technology Integration: Anthropic’s advanced cloud AI models will be embedded within Infosys’s AI solutions to help clients automate workflows and accelerate software delivery.
- Industry Expertise: Anthropic’s CEO emphasizes the critical importance of regulatory know-how for operational success in these fields, pointing to Infosys’s established expertise.
Notable Quote:
“Anthropic's CEO said industry expertise is critical for AI models to operate in regulated sectors and that Infosys has that kind of expertise.”
— Julie Chang [02:05]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:31 — Warner-Paramount deal negotiations and Netflix’s response
- 01:14 — Adani Group’s $100B renewable-powered data center initiative
- 01:53 — Infosys–Anthropic AI partnership for regulated industries
Memorable Moments & Takeaways
- The media and streaming landscape faces potentially seismic change with Warner, Paramount, and Netflix all jockeying for strategic advantage; negotiations are dynamic and high-stakes.
- India’s tech infrastructure is set for massive green investment, potentially reshaping the country’s digital economy.
- Leading AI model developers are prioritizing compliance and industry expertise as AI adoption expands into highly regulated domains.
For more on these and other stories, tune in to the next WSJ TNB update.