Posted on 12/06/2025 2:17:30 PM PST by DoodleBob
Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren blasted Netflix's planned acquisition of Warner Bros. and HBO on Friday, saying the deal "looks like an anti-monopoly nightmare."
Warner Bros. Discovery announced Friday it has agreed to sell its streaming and studios assets to Netflix in a deal valued at $82.7 billion, setting the stage for one of the most sweeping and consequential mergers in modern Hollywood history.
"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 American workers at risk," Warren said in a statement.
"Under Donald Trump, the antitrust review process has also become a cesspool of political favoritism and corruption," she added. "The Justice Department must enforce our nation’s anti-monopoly laws fairly and transparently — not use the Warner Bros. deal review to invite influence-peddling and bribery.”
In late November, Warren and two other New England senators — Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut — sent a letter to the Justice Department Antitrust Division warning that any potential Warner Bros. merger could be tainted by “political favoritism and corruption.”
If approved by federal regulators, the transaction promises to create a new entertainment and media behemoth, uniting the world’s largest streaming destination with a storied 102-year-old film studio.
Warner Bros.’ portfolio includes HBO, the HBO Max streaming platform and the “Harry Potter” movie franchise. Netflix, home of “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game,” reaches more than 300 million paid subscribers across over 190 countries.
“Our mission has always been to entertain the world,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, in a news release. “By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies—from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends—with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we’ll be able to do that even better. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.”
Netflix’s takeover of Warner Bros. ushers in a new era for Hollywood, which has evolved from a business focused on theatrical exhibition to an increasingly digital-first industry. The acquisition cements Netflix’s market dominance and expands the company’s content library as it faces off against tech giants like YouTube and TikTok.
The deal would give Netflix access to popular and lucrative intellectual property, including DC Comics characters such as Batman and Superman; the “Game of Thrones” TV saga; and a vast trove of titles stretching from “Casablanca” and “Dirty Harry” to “Dune” and “Barbie.”
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10 Changes Coming To Warner Bros Films After Netflix Acquisition
https://babylonbee.com/news/10-changes-coming-to-warner-bros-films-after-netflix-acquisition?utm_source=The%20Babylon%20Bee%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email
Lizzie might actually have a valid point here. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. But I really don’t care. I canceled my NetFlix and cable subscriptions long ago. The only streaming media I consume is on YouTube.
I heard that Warren is just upset because Netflix rejected her “Cherokee Like Me” idea for a talk show.
Unless you are using a military clock...
You hypocrite!
That is NOTHING compared to your MULTI-TRILLION $ UNCONSTITUTIONAL FEDERAL GOV’T BEAST POISED TO TAKE OVER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!!
“ “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 American workers at risk,” Warren said in a statement.”
Not sure about Americans losing their jobs, but buy a fire stick, go to you tube and someone will walk you through formatting a stick with anything you want on it. Enough people do that, they will lower prices just to shut it down. (I claim no knowledge nor do I endorse this practice)
What a blowhard she is? Who does she represent? There has to be huge money behind her.
…The entertainment industry is in a downward spiral that began when the dual strikes by actors and writers ended in 2023. Work is evaporating, businesses are closing, longtime residents are leaving, and the heart of L.A.’s creative middle class is hanging on by a thread.
Netflicked was gone when the Soetoros became involved.
Netflix is evil. Anything it acquires will be evil if it is not already evil.
TRUMP ASSOCIATES MONOPOLIZE ALL MEDIA !!!Thanks Hiawatha.
Streaming service prices will rise immediately, ads will probably be added unless you pay a premium.
The usual process of US business monopoly enshittification will accelerate.
The idiot is blaming Trump? Netflix is filled with Trump hating leftists, she should be happy.
Obviously if you combine Netflix’s library of movies/TV shows with HBO and Warner Brothers’ classic films, it’s an entertainment juggernaut, but so what? I despite Netflix founder’s long-term support for left-wing causes and candidates, but at the end of the day this is just entertainment. People can take it or leave it. It’s a luxury. We’re not talking about reduced competition where it would really matter such as in the food supply or the oil supply or electricity production or anything else that could be considered any sort of necessity.
Then she should put forward a bill banning DRM encryption of over the public air broadcasts and weakening signals to use the spectrum for things like "datacasting." That would protect consumers and the market.
But she's all talk, while pocketing corporate cash.
Netflix will now just have a larger library of x-rated shows if it is acquiring HBO...they can supplement “Cuties” and their other similar current offerings.
Well, she should know just about all there is to know about favoritism and corruption.
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