The December report begins with Netflix which agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming assets, such as HBO Max, for $72 billion, excluding cable channels. However, few days later, Paramount Skydance launched a hostile $30-per-share bid including TV networks, backed by Larry Ellison, RedBird Capital, Middle Eastern funds, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. Both deals face regulatory, antitrust, and labor scrutiny, with potential economic and ideological impacts. In addition, the report highlights that in Germany, streaming services and broadcasters pledged €15 billion over five years for local content, avoiding mandatory investment quotas, while Australia introduced legislation requiring global platforms to reinvest 10% of local earnings. Besides Brazil debates streaming regulation with local content quotas and a streaming tax in the audiovisual sector. Moreover, the report emphasizes that AI-generated music overwhelms streaming services, with Deezer reporting 28% of uploads as AI-created and Spotify removing 75 million suspected AI tracks. Finally, the report points out recent business plans and economic activities of digital platforms, focusing on Netflix, Disney+, RTL Deutschland, Amazon and HBO Max.

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