Trump Confirms Involvement in Netflix and Warner Bros. Merger Review
Former President Donald Trump confirmed he met with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos to discuss the streaming giant’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Trump stated he would be personally involved in the regulatory decision on the merger, which has drawn scrutiny over its potential impact on market competition. The news comes as a group of industry professionals anonymously petitioned Congress to intervene, fearing the combined entity’s power.
Trump’s Statement on the Merger
Speaking to Deadline, Trump confirmed the recent Oval Office meeting with Sarandos, calling the Netflix executive “a great person.” He explicitly noted, “I’ll be involved in that decision,” referring to the antitrust review of the merger. While expressing respect for Sarandos’s achievements in Hollywood, Trump also raised concerns about the significant increase in market share Netflix would gain, calling it “a problem” that requires careful consideration. He clarified that he made “no guarantees” to Sarandos regarding the deal’s approval.
Industry Backlash and Congressional Petition
A significant industry backlash has emerged alongside the political developments. An open letter from a consortium of “concerned future film producers” was sent to members of Congress urging them to deny the merger. The letter was submitted anonymously, with the authors stating this was due to fears of “repercussions” from Netflix’s “considerable power” in distribution.
The petition highlighted several key concerns:
- The potential for a drastically reduced theatrical window for Warner Bros. films, possibly as short as two weeks.
- Netflix’s historical resistance to prioritizing the “cinematic experience,” quoting Sarandos’s 2023 comment that “Driving folks to a theater is just not our business.”
- The overwhelming market control a combined Netflix-Warner Bros. would possess.
Netflix’s Evolving Theatrical Strategy
Despite its traditional stance, Netflix has recently shown some flexibility toward theatrical releases. High-profile projects like the finale of Stranger Things and Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia adaptation are set to receive cinema runs after initially being planned as streaming exclusives. A merger with a studio like Warner Bros., which has a strong theatrical foundation, could potentially force Netflix to adopt a more robust cinema presence, though the letter’s authors remain skeptical.
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