Disney Buys Time Warner 📥
: Following the missed opportunity with Time Warner, Iger pivoted to acquire 21st Century Fox instead, which Disney finalized in 2019.
While Disney has never actually acquired Time Warner (now ), the two companies have a history of near-misses and strategic maneuvers that have shaped today's entertainment landscape. 1. The Historical "Almost" (2016) disney buys time warner
As of early 2026, Disney has explicitly stated it is not interested in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Disney Tried to Buy Warner Bros. In 2016 : Following the missed opportunity with Time Warner,
: Had Disney succeeded in 2016, it would have gained ownership of the DC Universe , Harry Potter, CNN, and HBO. 2. Recent Status (2025–2026) The Historical "Almost" (2016) As of early 2026,
In 2016, Disney CEO Bob Iger reached out to then-Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes to propose a merger. However, Time Warner was already in advanced talks with , which officially announced its acquisition just weeks later.