UBS Outlines Key Themes for U.S. Media Landscape in 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 01 2026
0mins
Should l Buy WBD?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Industry Consolidation: UBS anticipates significant consolidation in the U.S. media landscape in 2026, particularly benefiting companies linked to sports and theme parks, maintaining Buy ratings on Disney and Netflix, reflecting confidence in their competitive positioning in a streaming-driven environment.
- Profitability Enhancement: Disney's streaming profitability is accelerating, and its parks business continues to thrive, which is expected to further drive overall performance and strengthen its market position.
- M&A Potential: The potential merger between Warner Bros and Netflix is viewed as creating a 'supercharged content provider' that would enhance viewer engagement and long-term monetization, with UBS noting this could pressure Paramount Skydance's stock price.
- Advertising Market Challenges: Despite major events like the Winter Olympics and World Cup boosting advertising spending in 2026, UBS still expects traditional TV ad revenues to remain under pressure, projecting an overall industry revenue decline of about 4% in 2026.
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Analyst Views on WBD
Wall Street analysts forecast WBD stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
9 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 28.110
Low
14.75
Averages
24.98
High
30.00
Current: 28.110
Low
14.75
Averages
24.98
High
30.00
About WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. is a global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes a portfolio of branded content across television, film, streaming and gaming. The Company's segments include Studios, Networks and DTC. Studios segment primarily consists of the production and release of feature films for initial exhibition in theaters, production and initial licensing of television programs to its networks/DTC services as well as third parties, distribution of its films and television programs to various third party and internal television and streaming services, distribution through the home entertainment market, and others. Networks segment primarily consists of its domestic and international television networks. DTC segment primarily consists of its premium pay-TV and streaming services. Its brands and products include Discovery Channel, Max, DC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Warner Bros., and Cartoon Network.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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