: Had Disney succeeded in 2016, it would have gained ownership of the DC Universe , Harry Potter, CNN, and HBO. 2. Recent Status (2025–2026)
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.
: Following the missed opportunity with Time Warner, Iger pivoted to acquire 21st Century Fox instead, which Disney finalized in 2019.