Warner, Paramount Spark Streaming Bidding War | Open Interest 2/17/2026

Warner Bros. has reignited merger talks with Paramount, potentially forcing Netflix into a new streaming bidding war as media consolidation accelerates in early 2026. Activist investors are targeting major firms: Starboard Value pressures TripAdvisor, Elliott Management builds a Norwegian Cruise Line stake, and Jana Partners pushes for Fiserv restructuring. Anthropic faces Pentagon backlash over surveillance concerns, amplifying broader AI anxiety as software stocks decline amid investor skepticism about artificial intelligence’s near-term profitability. Goldman Sachs identifies sports as Wall Street’s next major asset class, shifting focus from tech to team ownership and related ventures as alternative investments gain traction. Investors are dumping AI-linked software stocks amid growing unease over regulatory risks and valuation bubbles, signaling a cautious market turn in February 2026.