Netflix Likely Out As White House Flags Antitrust Concerns Over WBD Bid

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Netflix’s hopes of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery may have just hit a wall.

Sources at The New York Post report that top White House advisors recently met privately to discuss potential antitrust issues with Netflix’s plan to buy Warner Bros. studio and the HBO Max streaming service.

Officials are considering a major investigation into whether Netflix has too much control of the streaming market, and such an investigation could seriously harm the company’s future.

Netflix “Presents Unique Antitrust Concerns”

According to a government official who attended the meeting, there was widespread agreement that Netflix raises specific and important issues regarding fair competition laws.

People worry that if Netflix added HBO Max and Warner Bros. to its services, it would reduce competition and give even more power to one company in the entertainment industry.

Some officials suggested a large-scale investigation into Netflix, similar to the ones conducted with major tech companies like Google and Amazon.

Regulators who support Donald Trump are starting to doubt Netflix’s claim that antitrust laws shouldn’t apply to streaming services. Netflix argues that because platforms like YouTube and TikTok also stream content, the rules are unclear, but these regulators aren’t convinced.

Although some Warner Bros. Discovery board members seem to support the idea, advisors to President Trump working on media and technology policies are not impressed.

Trump’s DOJ Expected to Intervene

If Netflix were to acquire the rights, sources suggest the deal would likely undergo a lengthy and tough review by the Department of Justice. This review would be overseen by Gale Slater, the current head of antitrust enforcement, who was appointed by former President Trump.

The investigation might not be limited to just the acquisition; it could also look at how Netflix runs its service overall, which the company has successfully avoided until now.

Paramount Skydance is still the frontrunner in the bidding process, largely because its connections to Trump and plan to acquire all of Warner Bros. Discovery are expected to face fewer hurdles from regulators, unlike other bids that focus only on the studio and streaming services.

Paramount Still in Lead

Paramount Skydance is likely to increase its offer for a stake in Warner Bros. Discovery, with a new bid expected on Monday. Their previous offer was $23.50 per share, and they’re hoping a higher price will convince the Warner Bros. Discovery board to accept the deal.

Comcast is likely to increase its offer, but its ownership of MSNBC still makes it difficult to get approval from the Trump administration.

Netflix might offer a better deal, but recent regulatory concerns could make any further attempts pointless.

As a big Netflix fan, I’m starting to think their chances of buying Warner Bros. Discovery are fading fast. It looks like regulators here in the US, and probably in Europe too, are going to block the deal. It’s really disappointing, as I thought the combination could have been amazing for streaming!

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2025-12-01 08:31