NYTimes
nytimes.com › 2025 › 12 › 09 › opinion › netflix-paramount-warner-bros.html
Opinion | Netflix? Paramount? They’re Both Terrible for Warner Bros. - The New York Times
5 days ago - Discovery is illegal under U.S. law, as is Paramount’s competing takeover bid. The Clayton Act of 1914, the second of the United States’ major antitrust statutes, bans acquisitions and mergers when the effect “may be substantially to lessen competition, or to tend to create a monopoly.” ...
CBC News
cbc.ca › news › entertainment › netflix-warner-bros-deal-concerns-9.7005518
Why the massive merger of Netflix and Warner Bros. is proving so contentious | CBC News
1 week ago - Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a longtime antitrust hawk, said in a statement that the proposed merger “looks like an anti-monopoly nightmare.” · "A Netflix-Warner Bros.
Videos
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What Does Netflix’s Purchase of Warner Bros. Mean for Viewers?
Forbes
forbes.com › forbes homepage › business › hollywood & entertainment
Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal: Streaming Superpower Or Streaming Monopoly?
1 week ago - Various sources have indicated, however, that the Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors saw the Netflix’s deal as the superior offer given that Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders would own shares in both Netflix and the (spun-out) company owning the linear cable assets.
potential business transaction
Factsheet
Initiator Netflix, Inc.
Paramount Skydance
Paramount Skydance
Target Warner Bros. Streaming & Studios (Netflix Inc.)
Warner Bros. Discovery (Paramount Skydance)
Warner Bros. Discovery (Paramount Skydance)
Type Partial acquisition; spin-off of Global Linear Networks (Netflix Inc.)
Full acquisition (Paramount Skydance)
Full acquisition (Paramount Skydance)
Initiator Netflix, Inc.
Paramount Skydance
Paramount Skydance
Target Warner Bros. Streaming & Studios (Netflix Inc.)
Warner Bros. Discovery (Paramount Skydance)
Warner Bros. Discovery (Paramount Skydance)
Type Partial acquisition; spin-off of Global Linear Networks (Netflix Inc.)
Full acquisition (Paramount Skydance)
Full acquisition (Paramount Skydance)
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Proposed_acquisition_of_Warner_Bros.
Proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. - Wikipedia
6 hours ago - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren described a potential Netflix–Warner Bros. merger as an "anti-monopoly nightmare." She expressed concern that such a deal could create a single large media company controlling nearly half of the streaming market, ...
The Guardian
theguardian.com › film › 2025 › dec › 05 › netflix-warner-bros-deal-backlash
‘This merger must be blocked’: Netflix-Warner Bros deal faces fierce backlash | Warner Bros | The Guardian
1 week ago - “A Netflix-Warner Bros would create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market – threatening to force Americans into higher subscription prices and fewer choices over what and how they watch, while putting ...
Deadline
deadline.com › 2025 › 12 › elizabeth-warren-netflix-warner-bros-discovery-1236642496
After Opposing Netflix-WB, Elizabeth Warren Attacks Paramount Bid, Too: “Five-Alarm Antitrust Fire”
6 days ago - Discovery, days after issuing a blistering attack on Netflix‘s agreement with WB to buy the studio and streaming assets. In a statement, Warren said, “A Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. merger would be a five-alarm antitrust fire and exactly what our anti-monopoly laws are written to prevent.”
USA Today
usatoday.com › story › money › 2025 › 12 › 05 › netflix-warner-bros-merger-deal-streaming-cable › 87621300007
Politicians aren't happy with the Netflix-Warner Bros deal. Here's why
1 week ago - Netflix announced it will buy Warner Bros. Discovery for $72 billion in one of the most colossal deals in recent Hollywood history. The deal gives the streaming giant control of rival HBO Max and a storied film studio.
WCVB
wcvb.com › article › sen-warren-netflix-warner-bros-reaction › 69645440
Sen. Warren calls Netflix-Warner Bros. deal an 'anti-monopoly nightmare'
1 week ago - Netflix's deal to buy Warner Bros. studio and streaming business for $72 billion is being called an "anti-monopoly nightmare" by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.If the deal is allowed to close, it would bring two of the industry’s biggest ...
Fox Business
foxbusiness.com › media › trump-warns-netflix-warner-bros-discovery-deal-could-problem-says-hell-involved-decision
Trump warns Netflix-Warner Bros. $72B deal could be a problem | Fox Business
President Donald Trump raised antitrust concerns over the proposed Netflix takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters / Reuters) Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said it "looks like an anti-monopoly nightmare."
Published 1 week ago
Variety
variety.com › 2025 › film › news › why-netflix-buying-warner-bros-ted-sarandos-1236604802
Why Netflix Is Buying Warner Bros., Why Paramount Launched Hostile Bid
2 days ago - Netflix is trying to set up its future as an unbeatable Hollywood studio by buying Warner Bros., but Ted Sarandos is going to have to fight for it.
Variety
variety.com › 2025 › biz › news › netflix-warner-bros-deal-anti-monopoly-nightmare-warren-1236601206
Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal 'Anti-Monopoly Nightmare,' Sen. Warren Says
1 week ago - Netflix can argue that it is nowhere near a monopolist: The streamer’s execs routinely point out on the streaming giant’s earnings calls that even in its most mature markets, including the U.S., Netflix represents less than 10% of total ...
CNN
cnn.com › 2025 › 12 › 06 › media › netflix-warner-bros-antitrust
Netflix has a big unanswered question. That may kill its Warner Bros. deal | CNN Business
1 week ago - The deal would see Warner Bros. acquired by one of its biggest customers: In addition to its massive movie studio, Warner Bros. makes television shows for various networks and streamers – including Netflix.
Inc
inc.com › home › monopoly expert says netflix’s bid for wb isn’t meant to succeed—it’s a big dirty trick
Monopoly Expert Says Netflix's Bid for WB Isn't Meant to Succeed—It's a Big Dirty Trick
1 week ago - But some experts say Netflix likely has no intention of getting into a bidding war with Paramount—or even actually purchasing Warner Bros. Discovery, with many questioning whether the deal would receive government regulatory approval given ...
Reuters
reuters.com › legal › litigation › netflix-warner-bros-deal-faces-antitrust-pushback-even-company-touts-benefits-2025-12-05
Netflix-Warner Bros deal faces political pushback even as company touts benefits | Reuters
1 week ago - Both Warren and U.S. Representative ... House Monopoly Busters Caucus, called the deal a "nightmare." "It would mean more price hikes, ads, & cookie cutter content, less creative control for artists, and lower pay for workers," she said in a post on social media site X. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, said the "proposed deal, and any other, should be closely scrutinized." While Netflix won the bidding war for Warner Bros studio and ...
People's World
peoplesworld.org › article › workers-caught-up-in-netflix-warner-bros-paramount-media-monopoly-battle
Workers caught up in Netflix / Warner Bros. / Paramount media monopoly battle
4 days ago - “A Netflix-controlled Warner ... the executive director said. ... Elected officials have also chimed in, expressing concern that the buying of WBD could be a monopoly horror show....
Reddit
reddit.com › r/outoftheloop › what is going on with the acquisition of warner bros. by netflix?
r/OutOfTheLoop on Reddit: What is going on with the acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix?
1 week ago -
I've seen the news online that Netflix has bought Warner Bros., and I was a bit confused by... a lot of things.
First of all, why did this acquisition happen? For as long as I can remember, Warner Bros. has always been one of the biggest studios in Hollywood, with so many iconic movies and franchises owned by it. I know they weren't doing so hot lately, but I thought they were at least able to keep themselves going without that much support from others. It's kinda weird to hear that it is now OWNED by someone.
Secondly, why does the news that Netflix might buy WB get such a bad reaction from people online? I know Netflix is notorious for canceling shows way too early and continuing shows people are really sick about, and they are also blamed for how many shows these days release their seasons every two years instead of a few months or 1 year. Are there more reasons why that acquisition is so controversial?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce91x2jm5pjo
Top answer 1 of 6
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Answer: A few years back AT&T sold WB to Discovery, and part of the deal of selling it was that Discovery would take on a lot of its debt. Discovery hasn't pulled off a miracle, so it still has a huge amount of debt. It considered just selling its cable channels since they don't make much money any more, but are now looking to sell the whole thing. Also, you may have recently heard that Skydance bought Paramount. These sorts of mergers are very hard to pull off because the government, specifically the FCC and the FTC try to appear non partisan and don't want the media controlled by any one person or company. It just so happens Skydance is owned by Larry Ellison's son and they are both really friendly with the Trump administration and the AI boom has made Larry Ellison at times the richest man in the world. So this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity where they have the money and the politcal support to pull this off. So they put in their bid which the Trump administration doesn't say shit about blocking, now Netflix moves in with a better bid and if the Trump administration now were to say oh no you can't do this only our special friend Larry Ellison can they would look really bad. Essentially this merger wouldn't just mean there will be fewer movie studios and streaming services but Skydance already owns CBS and WB owns CNN so if Skydance was allowed to buy WB it would have control over a large chunk of the news on top of other tv, music, and movies. I did hear speculation that Netflix put in their bid knowing it probably wouldn't go through and that the Trump administration would just drag their feet and never end up approving it and I think that would be the best outcome if they all end up staying independent.
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Answer: To answer your questions: The acquisition happened during a rough period in WB’s history caused by a series of weak movies and the COVID-19 pandemic threatening theaters as a whole. The biggest problem was the string of failures with the DC Extended Universe, WB’s answer to Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe. The big problem with Netflix getting WB is that the company is more focused on streaming and not theaters. The big worry is that Netflix gets WB, there’s the worry that this will mean fewer films in theaters at a period where theaters are actively hurting
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
warren.senate.gov › newsroom › press-releases › warren-on-netflix-warner-bros-proposed-deal-anti-monopoly-nightmare
Warren on Netflix-Warner Bros. Proposed Deal: “Anti-Monopoly Nightmare” | U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to the news that Netflix will buy Warner Bros. after a weeks-long bidding war, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement: “This deal looks like an anti-monopoly nightmare.
IGN
ign.com › articles › this-deal-looks-like-an-anti-monopoly-nightmare-netflixs-825-billion-warner-bros-buyout-risks-job-losses-and-higher-subscription-prices-senator-elizabeth-warren-warns
'This Deal Looks Like an Anti-Monopoly Nightmare' — Netflix's $82.5 Billion Warner Bros. Buyout Risks Job Losses and Higher Subscription Prices, Senator Elizabeth Warren Warns - IGN
1 week ago - Warren's comments were echoed by US Representative Pramila Jayapal, co-chair of the House Monopoly Busters Caucus, who also labelled the deal as a "nightmare." "It would mean more price hikes, ads, & cookie cutter content, less creative control for artists, and lower pay for workers," Jayapal stated. "The media industry is already controlled by a few corporations with too much power to censor free speech. The gov't must step in." ... In the past few hours, one report has claimed Netflix is particularly keen to obtain Warner Bros.' vast content library as the streamer ramps up its potential to offer AI-generation tools and content in the future, just weeks after Disney boss Bob Iger confirmed it would imminently begin rolling out AI content and capabilities via Disney+.
Yahoo! Finance
finance.yahoo.com › video › netflix-warner-bros-anti-monopoly-210830805.html
Netflix–Warner Bros is an 'anti-monopoly nightmare': Sen. Warren
1 week ago - ... So we have a statement here ... like an anti-monopoly nightmare and Netflix Warner Brothers would create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market, threatening to force Americans into higher ...
Esquire
esquire.com › entertainment › tv › every question about the netflix–warner bros. merger, answered
Every Question About the Netflix–Warner Bros. Merger, Answered
5 days ago - “Adding both HBO Max’s subscribers and Warner Bros.’ premier content rights would further enhance this position, reportedly pushing the combined entity above a 30 percent share of the streaming market: a threshold traditionally viewed ...