Netflix Stock Stabilizes After Fresh 52-Week Low Amid Rival Bids and Regulatory Scrutiny

Netflix finished the week at $76.87 a share, after slipping to $75.23 two sessions earlier?the lowest level in a year. The streaming giant remains under considerable pressure as competition in the takeover arena intensifies and antitrust concerns draw the spotlight.

Stargate SG-1 makes its return to Netflix on February 15, broadening the platform?s catalog with a classic sci?fi franchise. The complete run, spanning all 10 seasons and 214 episodes, is now accessible in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Latin America. The revival marks Netflix?s return of a valuable series after Amazon?s MGM acquisition led to the rights being dropped from the service at the end of 2022. The move lands at a delicate moment, as Netflix weighs its own production budget against a high-stakes bid battle for Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming to bolster subscriber loyalty through established franchises.

Paramount Global has pushed a higher price tag into the mix. While Netflix continues to pursue Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) with a proposed combination of cash and stock worth $27.75 per WBD share, Paramount has put forward a pure cash offer valued at roughly $108.4 billion?about $30 per WBD share. In contrast, WBD?s enterprise value sits at approximately $82.7 billion, underscoring the stark gap in valuation being tested by the competing bids. The regulatory backdrop adds another layer of complexity: the U.S. Department of Justice has issued subpoenas and is examining potential antitrust implications tied to a Netflix?WBD merger, a development that could influence how investors assess Paramount?s cash-heavy proposal and any strategic moves by WBD management.

Industry observers are also watching a separate IP battle. On February 13, Disney sent a formal cease-and-desist letter over concerns that its newly announced AI video model Seedance 2.0 utilizes copyrighted characters?such as Spider-Man and Baby Yoda?without authorization. While Netflix isn?t a direct party to the dispute, the outcome could set an important precedent for exclusivity and content protections across the major studios, particularly as generative AI raises fresh operational risks for licensing models.

Recent trading activity reflected the ongoing tug-of-war over value and leverage. On Friday, February 13, Netflix rose about 1.33% to close at $76.87. The company?s market capitalization remains north of $320 billion. Investors are awaiting either a revised Netflix offer or a clearer stance from Warner Bros. Discovery?s leadership, all while the DOJ?s antitrust review stretches the timeline for any potential consolidation.

Key takeaways:
- Netflix closes at $76.87; a prior intraday low of $75.23 marked the year?s trough.
- Stargate SG-1 is back on Netflix as of February 15, with all 10 seasons and 214 episodes available in the US, the UK, and Latin America.
- Paramount has filed a cash offer around $108.4 billion ($30 per WBD share), versus Netflix?s cash-and-stock mix valued at $27.75 per WBD share; WBD?s enterprise value stands at $82.7 billion.
- DOJ antitrust scrutiny could extend the timeline for any potential deal.
- Disney?s IP-related cease-and-desist case involving Seedance 2.0 emerges as a broader backdrop for exclusivity and content-usage risks in the industry.