Regarding Netflix’s attempt to buy the legendary Hollywood studio Warner Bros., US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the streaming behemoth already has “a very substantial market share” and that “that may be a problem.”
When Trump arrived at the Kennedy Center Honors awards event, he stated, “I will be part in that decision,” alluding to the federal regulators’ judgment over the almost $83 billion merger that has sparked antitrust worries and anger among Hollywood’s elite.
During a recent visit to the White House, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos was also praised by Trump, who declared that “he is done one of the best things in the history of cinema.”
If transaction were finished as it is now, Netflix would acquire rival streaming service HBO Max and Warner Bros. studios, which throughout the years have made blockbusters like “Barbie” as well as classic movies like “Casablanca” and “Citizen Kane.”
The Lord of the Rings series, the Harry Potter movies, and DC Studios’ superheroes—Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, to name just a few—would all be part of Netflix’s enormous library following the acquisition.
However, if the transaction goes through, Netflix would not receive television networks like CNN and Discovery, which would have been split off from Warner Bros. before the sale.
After receiving several unsolicited proposals, parent firm Warner Bros. Discovery formally placed itself up for sale in October, defeating media conglomerate Paramount Skydance and cable provider Comcast. David Ellison, the head of Paramount, is a strong supporter of Trump.
