US President Donald Trump has signaled that Netflix’s proposed $72 billion (£54 billion) acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s film studio and HBO streaming assets may face scrutiny from his administration, citing potential competition concerns.
Speaking at an event in Washington, DC on Sunday, Mr Trump noted that Netflix already holds a “very big market share” in streaming and said the company’s influence “could go up by a lot” if the takeover proceeds.
The comments follow Friday’s announcement that Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery had reached a preliminary agreement to merge major entertainment properties, including the Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Looney Tunes, The Matrix, and Lord of the Rings franchises, under the Netflix umbrella. The move would create one of the largest media entities in modern entertainment history.
The deal still requires approval from US competition regulators. The Department of Justice’s antitrust division plans to review whether the combined company would control too much of the streaming market. Reporters have contacted Netflix, Warner Bros Discovery, and the White House for comment.
A Landmark Moment for Netflix
Founded in 1997 as a DVD-by-mail service, Netflix has grown into the world’s largest subscription streaming platform. The planned acquisition—one of the biggest the industry has seen in years—would further consolidate its position at the top of the global streaming sector.
Warner Bros Discovery plans to split its business before it finalises the transaction, which the companies expect to complete in the second half of 2026.
Trump Vows to Take Part in the Decision
During his remarks at the John F. Kennedy Center, Mr. Trump said he planned to be personally involved in assessing whether the merger should proceed. He also noted that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos had recently visited the Oval Office, praising Sarandos as “a great person” who has done “one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies.”
Mr Sarandos previously acknowledged that the agreement may have surprised some investors but said the deal offers a long-term strategic opportunity, positioning Netflix for success “for decades to come.”
