Netflix Already Testing Warner Bros. and DC Content as WBD Sale Drama Heats Up

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As everyone’s focused on the tug-of-war between Netflix and Paramount for the rights to Warner Bros. Discovery content, I’m noticing something else going on right under our noses. It feels like a bigger shift is happening, and it’s easy to miss amidst all the deal-making drama.

Netflix is already testing Warner Bros. and DC content on its platform.

Okay, so I was checking out the latest Nielsen streaming numbers, and it’s pretty interesting. Apparently, four Warner Bros. shows are crushing it on Netflix right now as far as ‘acquired’ titles go – meaning shows that weren’t originally made for Netflix. Those shows are The Closer, Southland, Rizzoli & Isles, and even Teen Titans Go!. The funny thing is, these weren’t big hits on HBO Max when they were there, but they’re really finding an audience now that they’ve moved over to Netflix. It just goes to show how different platforms can give shows a second life!

Warner Series Climb Netflix Charts

According to Puck News, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) films are performing well on Netflix because WBD has been renting them out. This strategy, led by CEO David Zaslav, prioritizes immediate revenue over creating unique content for their own streaming service, Max.

Warner Bros. also saved a significant amount of money—tens of millions of dollars—by not releasing any films in theaters during the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily due to reduced marketing expenses.

Essentially, Warner Bros. Discovery is making money from its existing content while it navigates a challenging period, similar to the situation Netflix and Paramount recently faced.

And Netflix isn’t just cutting checks. It’s collecting data.

Netflix Is Getting Real Performance Data on the WBD Library

Each time a Warner Bros. series is added to Netflix, the platform learns more about how well that show performs with viewers around the world.

This covers things like popular genres, how often people rewatch shows, how many episodes people finish, who’s watching, and how well it performs in different areas.

If Netflix is truly considering acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, they’re currently gathering real-time data to assess its value. Rather than speculating about how DC or Warner Bros. content would perform, Netflix is observing actual viewership numbers as they become available.

And the early signals look strong.

DC Has a Track Record of Success on Netflix

DC content has historically done well on Netflix.

Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam is a great example of a film finding success on streaming. Although it faced some issues in theaters, it quickly became one of the most-watched movies on Netflix after becoming available on the platform.

For a company like Netflix, this shows that the DC brand still resonates with audiences worldwide, even if recent movie releases haven’t always been huge hits, like James Gunn’s Superman film.

What This Means for the WBD Sale

If Paramount is still in the race, Netflix isn’t sitting idle.

The platform is currently being used to see how well Warner Bros. TV and DC shows and movies do, understand what keeps viewers interested, and assess the overall worth of that content with actual user data.

That gives Netflix leverage.

Honestly, by the time a final decision on bidding comes down, I think Netflix will already have a really good idea of how much value Warner Bros. Discovery’s content could actually bring to their service. They’re probably already figuring it all out!

If DC content continues to do well on Netflix, it further proves that Warner Bros.’ collection of films and shows is incredibly valuable in the entertainment industry.

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2026-02-21 01:02