US President Donald Trump issued a pointed caution regarding Netflix's ambitious $83 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros., expressing concerns over the streaming behemoth's already dominant market position and hinting at potential regulatory intervention. Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors ceremony on Sunday, Trump declared that he would personally involve himself in the federal review process, underscoring the antitrust implications of a merger that would consolidate vast entertainment assets under one corporate umbrella.
Despite his reservations, Trump reserved high praise for Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, whom he lauded for achieving "one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies." This commendation follows a recent White House visit by Sarandos, reportedly aimed at discussing the proposed acquisition, during which Trump reportedly advised that Warner Bros. should go to the highest bidder—a stance that appeared to favor competitive bidding over outright opposition.
The transformative deal, if approved in its current configuration, would enable Netflix to integrate Warner Bros.' iconic film and television studios alongside the HBO Max streaming service, forging an unparalleled content library. This would encompass timeless cinematic masterpieces such as "Casablanca" and "Citizen Kane," alongside contemporary juggernauts like the record-shattering "Barbie," thereby amplifying Netflix's competitive edge in the fiercely contested global streaming arena.
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Furthermore, the acquisition would bestow upon Netflix control over an expansive roster of blockbuster franchises, including the enchanting Harry Potter series, the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the caped crusaders of DC Studios—Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman among them—potentially reshaping storytelling paradigms across film, television, and digital platforms. Notably, the transaction excludes traditional television assets like Discovery networks and CNN, which Warner Bros. Discovery plans to divest through a structured spin-off to address regulatory and structural concerns.
Warner Bros. Discovery formally entered the sales process in October, fielding unsolicited overtures that ultimately edged out rival proposals from cable giant Comcast and the Paramount-Skydance consortium, the latter backed by prominent Trump supporter David Ellison. As federal regulators scrutinize the merger for monopolistic risks, the outcome remains uncertain, with industry observers anticipating a protracted battle that could redefine Hollywood's power dynamics for years to come.
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