URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump has raised significant concerns about the potential regulatory hurdles facing the massive $82.7 billion merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. Speaking at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C., Trump emphasized that the deal will undergo rigorous scrutiny, stating, “It has to go through a process, and we’ll see what happens.”
As the implications of this merger unfold, Trump highlighted Netflix’s substantial market share, noting, “They have a very big market share and when they have Warner Bros., you know, that share goes up a lot.” The President’s remarks signal that regulatory authorities will be closely examining the deal, which could reshape the streaming landscape.
Netflix announced its intention to acquire Warner Bros., including its popular film and television studios and HBO Max, on December 8, 2023. The company aims to finalize the transaction by Q3 2026, pending the separation of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Discovery Global into a new publicly traded entity.
In a statement, Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, remarked, “Our mission has always been to entertain the world.” This ambitious acquisition would further solidify Netflix’s position in the industry, with over 300 million paid memberships across more than 190 countries.
Trump expressed admiration for Sarandos, calling him a “fantastic man” and acknowledging their meeting last week in the Oval Office. While he did not reveal specifics of their conversation, he indicated that Sarandos did not make any commitments regarding the merger. Trump stated, “He’s done one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies and other things.”
The President’s comments come at a critical juncture for the entertainment industry as the merger’s fate hangs in the balance. With Trump’s involvement in the regulatory discussion, stakeholders across the streaming and media sectors are eager to see how this situation unfolds.
As this story develops, industry watchers will be keenly focused on regulatory responses and the potential impact on the streaming market. The Netflix-Warner Bros. merger could set a precedent for future industry consolidations, making it a pivotal moment for both companies and consumers alike.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story progresses and the implications of this merger become clearer.
