Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery logos are seen in this illustration created on Dec 5, 2025. (File photo: Reuters/Dado Ruvic)

Trump airs doubt about Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros

If completed in its current form, Netflix would absorb competing streaming platform HBO Max and storied studios Warner Bros.

08 Dec 2025, 00:34 · CNA · Join

Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Dec 7) commented on Netflix's effort to acquire storied Hollywood studio Warner Bros, saying the streaming giant already has "a very large market share" and "it could be a problem".

"I'll be involved in that decision," Trump said upon arriving at the Kennedy Center Honors awards ceremony, referring to the decision facing federal regulators weighing the nearly US$83 billion deal that has raised antitrust concerns and ire among Hollywood's elite.

Trump also lavished praise on Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who recently visited the White House, saying "he's done one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies".

If completed in its current form, Netflix would absorb competing streaming platform HBO Max and Warner Bros studios, which has produced film classics including Casablanca and Citizen Kane over the decades, as well as more recent blockbusters like Barbie.

Subscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in Review
Our chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.

This service is not intended for persons residing in the E.U. By clicking subscribe, I agree to receive news updates and promotional material from Mediacorp and Mediacorp’s partners.
Loading

The acquisition would give Netflix a massive catalog, with a vast array of content, including the Harry Potter films, the Lord of the Rings saga, and the superheroes of DC Studios - Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, for starters.

But Netflix would not be getting television channels if the deal goes through, like Discovery and CNN which would be spun off from Warner Bros prior to the sale.

Parent company Warner Bros Discovery officially put itself up for sale in October after receiving multiple unsolicited offers, beating out cable operator Comcast and media group Paramount Skydance.

Paramount's chief David Ellison is a major backer of Trump.

Newsletter