CBS Is Preparing to Survive in Netflix’s World
A combined CBS-Viacom-Starz entity stands a chance in the Netflix world and may be an attractive target in its own right.
Buying Starz, maker of “American Gods” and other popular series, would expand CBS’s audience.
Photographer: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images North AmericaCBS Corp. is trying to rebuild a Hollywood empire – and in the process may end up creating the industry’s next and final big takeover candidate.
The broadcast network is said to have made a $5 billion bid for Starz, a cable channel owned by the film-making company Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., which is set to report earnings for its latest quarter after the close of trading on Thursday. While the offer was rejected as too low, CBS is reportedly still interested in working out a deal. But that’s not the only transaction on its agenda.