The proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) by Netflix has sharply divided opinion, as critics — including U.S. President Donald Trump — warn that the merger could give the combined entity unprecedented dominance in global entertainment.
Under the deal, Netflix would take over WBD’s film and television studios plus its flagship streaming service, HBO Max, adding storied franchises from DC Comics, “Harry Potter,” “Game of Thrones” and other legacy properties to its catalog.
But the merger has triggered immediate concern among U.S. regulators and lawmakers. At a public appearance Sunday evening, President Trump said the deal “could be a problem” because of the combined company’s market share, and pledged to be personally involved in its review. “They have a very big market share, and when they have Warner Bros., that share goes up a lot,” he said.
Some members of Congress have labelled the merger an “antitrust nightmare,” warning it could stifle competition, limit creative diversity and raise subscription prices for consumers.
In response, Netflix executives insist the consolidation will benefit viewers and creators alike. “We will offer a broader library of shows and movies and give audiences more of what they love,” said co-CEO Ted Sarandos. WBD’s CEO echoed the sentiment, saying the union of two of Hollywood’s greatest storytelling companies will “help define the next century of entertainment.”
The deal, hailed by supporters as a bold step toward reshaping the streaming era, now faces a protracted regulatory path before regulatory authorities in the U.S. and Europe clear it. Either way, its outcome is poised to reverberate across the global media industry.
