Netflix, Paramount face-off; Australia ban kicks-in

The Friday File: Mobile World Live brings you our top three picks of the week as Paramount challenged Netflix’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), young Australians turned to alternatives as a social media ban was enforced and Nvidia secured approval to resume sales of its H200 AI chip in China.

Paramount launches $108B WBD bid to rival Netflix

What happened: Paramount Skydance launched a hostile $108.4 billion bid to acquire the entirety of WBD, including its Global Networks segment and traditional TV assets, days after Netflix agreed an $82.7 billion deal for parts of the company.

Why it matters: In a statement, Paramount described its proposal as a “superior alternative” to Netflix’s transaction, arguing it delivers $18 billion more in cash and avoids “inferior and uncertain value”. It also warned Netflix’s deal could face a “protracted multi-jurisdictional regulatory clearance process”. Dave Ellison, chairman and CEO, added Paramount provides a “more certain and quicker path to completion”. The bidding war for WBD intensifies regulatory scrutiny around competitiveness and consolidation in streaming. US President Donald Trump stated the Netflix, WBD tie up “could be a problem” given Netflix’s hefty market share, while US Senator Mike Lee cautioned the deal would “raise serious competition questions”. Roger Entner, founder and analyst at Recon Analytics, told MWL a combined group would become the “dominant gateway for both production and distribution of premium filmed entertainment”, with “spillover effects on adjoining markets”.

Australians seek alternatives as social media ban takes hold

What happened: Australia’s ban on under-16s using major social media platforms came into force this week, prompting a surge in alternative app downloads as younger users sought ways around the new rules.

Why it matters: Demand for VPN services also spiked, with Top10VPN reporting a 103 per cent rise compared with the previous 28-day average. Under the law, platforms including TikTok, Instagram and Facebook must block underage accounts or face penalties of up to AUD49.5 million ($33 million). Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese argued the move is a “profound reform” aimed at “pushing back against big tech”, framing the legislation as a response to families affected by serious online harms. He added “the world is watching and following”, stating that the move will “continue to reverberate around the world in coming months”. Although some social media platforms have complied, Reddit filed a free speech lawsuit against the country. Researchers have also warned of potential risks; Professor Jessica Ringrose of University College London argued an outright ban is “problematic” because it “neglects young people’s rights and voice” and may erode trust, making children “less able to access support”. She said stronger media-literacy policies, supported jointly by schools and parents, are better suited to addressing fast-moving issues such as AI, privacy and consent.

Nvidia H200 China chip sales cleared

What happened: In a regulatory U-turn, the US government cleared Nvidia to resume exports of its H200 AI chips to approved customers in China, imposing a 25 per cent levy and vetting by the Department of Commerce to ensure national security.

Why it matters: The decision reverses earlier restrictions on advanced AI chips and follows a recent easing in US-China tech tensions. President Donald Trump announced the move on Truth Social, stating the US would permit sales under conditions ensuring “continued strong national security”. The approval excludes Nvidia’s latest Blackwell and Rubin lines, but also covers products from AMD and Intel. The H200 offers significantly more memory bandwidth than Nvidia’s previously permitted H20, giving Chinese buyers access to faster AI processing while remaining below top-tier US hardware. Indeed, the shift creates a major commercial opening for Nvidia, which had removed China-related H200 revenue from recent financial outlooks. The Wall Street Journal estimated Nvidia could stand to gain up to $5 billion in quarterly orders without geopolitical restrictions. The clearance may also slow Chinese adoption of domestic alternatives from vendors such as Huawei. However, some critics argue the policy risks accelerating China’s progress toward advanced AI systems. According to Reuters, US senator Elizabeth Warren warned the decision “risks turbocharging China’s bid for technological and military dominance and undermining US economic and national security”. This week, Nvidia also rebuffed media reports claiming Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek had used banned Blackwell chips to train its latest model.