Netflix has officially walked away from its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming business, ending months of speculation over one of Hollywood’s most closely watched potential mergers.

The streaming giant had agreed in December to acquire Warner Bros.’ studios and streaming assets; including its iconic film library and HBO content, in a deal valued at approximately $82.7 billion. However, the agreement has collapsed after Paramount Global, backed by Skydance Media, raised its offer, which Warner Bros.’ board labelled a “superior proposal.”

Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said in a statement that the revised offer was “no longer financially attractive,” and the company chose not to increase its bid. The decision highlights Netflix’s commitment to disciplined spending and strategic growth.

With Netflix out of the race, Paramount Skydance is expected to move forward with the acquisition, which could value the combined assets at around $111 billion. The deal would merge Paramount’s holdings with Warner Bros.’ extensive portfolio, including HBO, CNN, Discovery channels, and major franchises like Harry Potter and DC Comics.

Investors reacted positively to Netflix’s decision, with shares surging after news of the withdrawal. Analysts noted that the move allows Netflix to avoid a costly bidding war while remaining focused on its core streaming business and original content strategy.

The merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, if completed, will reshape Hollywood’s media landscape and is likely to face regulatory scrutiny over concerns about media consolidation and competition.

Netflix’s exit signals a new phase in the industry, leaving Paramount poised to become an even more dominant media player, while Netflix refocuses on strengthening its streaming platform and content offerings.

Politically charged thriller One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest winner at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards on Sunday, taking home six trophies including Best Film and strengthening its position ahead of next month’s Academy Awards.

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the explosive drama about revolutionaries locked in chaotic conflict with the state also won prizes for Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, and Editing. Sean Penn earned a supporting actor award for his portrayal of an obsessive military officer.

Accepting the directing prize, Anderson described the moment as “very overwhelming and wonderful.” He paid tribute to his longtime assistant director, Adam Somner, who died of cancer in November 2024 shortly after production began. Quoting Nina Simone, Anderson said: “I know what freedom is: It’s no fear. Let’s keep making things without fear.”

Blues-infused vampire epic Sinners and gothic horror drama Frankenstein claimed three awards each, while Shakespearean family drama Hamnet secured two trophies, including Best British Film.

Bookmakers’ favourite Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway, wife of William Shakespeare, in Hamnet. The 36-year-old becomes the first Irish performer to claim the Best Actress prize at the BAFTAs. She dedicated her award “to the women past, present, and future who taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently.”

In one of the night’s biggest surprises, Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for his role in I Swear, a fact-based indie drama centred on a campaigner advocating for people with Tourette syndrome. The 33-year-old appeared visibly stunned, calling his victory over fellow nominees Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Timothée Chalamet “absolutely mad.”

“I absolutely can’t believe this,” Aramayo said. “Everyone in this category blows me away.”

The awards ceremony, widely regarded as Britain’s equivalent of the Oscars, is often seen as a key indicator of momentum heading into Hollywood’s biggest night.

Before amyotrophic lateral sclerosis dimmed his final chapter, Eric Dane had already secured his place in television history.

For millions of viewers, he was not just an actor; he was Dr. Mark Sloan, the effortlessly confident plastic surgeon whose charm and complexity helped redefine primetime drama on Grey’s Anatomy. Nicknamed “McSteamy,” Dane became one of the most recognisable faces of 2000s television, embodying a character who was at once flawed, charismatic, and deeply human.

But beyond the polished hospital corridors of Seattle Grace, Dane’s career reflected range and reinvention. From early appearances on Charmed to his later, darker portrayal of Cal Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria, he consistently embraced complex roles that pushed against typecasting. His performances evolved with time, mirroring an industry that demanded more nuance and vulnerability.

In April last year, Dane publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS gradually robs patients of muscle control, impacting mobility, speech, and eventually breathing. There is no known cure.

The diagnosis marked a quiet but profound turning point.

Though private about the details of his health battle, Dane’s struggle underscored a stark reality: illness does not discriminate between ordinary lives and extraordinary ones. Fame offers visibility, not immunity.

Tributes from colleagues and fans have since poured in, reflecting the depth of his impact across generations of viewers. For many, Dane’s work on Grey’s Anatomy defined an era of television storytelling. For younger audiences, his presence in Euphoria introduced him anew as a layered and unsettling patriarch navigating modern moral chaos.

His career was not without personal challenges. Dane had previously spoken openly about struggles with mental health and time spent in rehabilitation, conversations that helped destigmatize vulnerability among male actors in Hollywood. In many ways, that honesty made his final public chapter his battle with ALS resonate even more deeply.

Eric Dane’s passing is not merely the loss of a performer. It is the closing of a chapter in contemporary television; one that spanned romance, reinvention, and raw emotional storytelling.

In the end, he leaves behind more than memorable scenes and trending tributes. He leaves behind characters that continue to live on screen, reminding audiences of a presence that once felt larger than life.

Perhaps that is the quiet power of legacy: while ALS may have silenced the man, it can not erase the work.