Netflix Acquires Warner Bros. for $82.7 Billion, Reshaping Streaming Landscape

Netflix announced it will acquire Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion, merging the biggest streaming platform with a historic studio known for classics like 'Casablanca' and the 'Harry Potter' franchise, according to CBS News.

The deal, valued at $27.75 per share, is expected to close after Warner Bros. Discovery spins off its television networks division by the third quarter of 2026. Analysts suggest this acquisition will solidify Netflix's dominance in the streaming wars, potentially providing access to a wealth of content, including Warner Bros.' extensive catalog and HBO Max.

However, experts warn of significant antitrust concerns, as the merger could reduce competition and lead to higher prices for consumers, as pointed out by Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Additionally, critics from the Writers Guild of America and Cinema United fear that such consolidation might harm theatrical releases and the overall cinema ecosystem.

The Multiplex Association of India has also raised concerns that this merger could diminish the availability of theatrical content in their market. Moreover, Jane Fonda and her Committee for the First Amendment have urged the Department of Justice to scrutinize the deal closely for potential anti-monopoly issues, emphasizing the need for a thorough review of its implications for free speech and the industry at large.