Netflix-Warner Bros Merger Triggers Bipartisan Antitrust Blowback

Netflix’s $82 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s studios and streaming assets has ignited a firestorm of bipartisan backlash in Washington, with lawmakers across the political spectrum warning that the proposed mega-merger would reshape the entertainment landscape and not for the better.

The merger, which would place HBO Max, Warner Bros Studios, and their deep content library under Netflix’s control, has drawn sharp scrutiny as potentially anti-competitive, anti-consumer, and a direct threat to market choice and creative independence.

Even as Netflix promotes the acquisition as a pro-growth move for its 300 million global subscribers, lawmakers aren’t buying it.

“It should send alarm to antitrust enforcers around the world,” said Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), ranking member of the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee. “This would mean the end of the Golden Age of streaming for content creators and consumers.”

Key concerns being raised by both Republicans and Democrats:

• Near-monopoly power: The combined entity would dominate nearly half of the U.S. streaming market, eliminating competition between Netflix and HBO Max.

• Higher consumer costs: Both services recently raised prices Netflix to $17.99 and HBO Max to $18.49 per month and critics fear consolidation will only make things worse.

• Creative restrictions and layoffs: Critics warn the merger would limit artistic freedom and result in job losses for content creators, writers, and back-end workers.

• Fewer theater releases: Lawmakers like Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) say this could accelerate the death of the box office.

Democrats are also piling on.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren blasted the deal as an “antitrust nightmare,” warning it would leave consumers with “higher prices and fewer choices” while giving Netflix overwhelming control of the entertainment pipeline. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) echoed the sentiment, calling the deal “a disaster for workers and artists.”

Even Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), long an advocate for antitrust reform, demanded that the merger “be closely scrutinized” and possibly blocked outright.

Ironically, Netflix often viewed as the underdog during past regulatory debates now finds itself in the crosshairs as the dominant streaming giant.

The scrutiny comes as Paramount’s Skydance, led by David Ellison, is rumored to be preparing a competing offer, potentially more aligned with the Trump administration, which has made lowering consumer costs a top economic priority.

Back in his first term, President Trump personally lobbied against the AT&T-Time Warner merger, expressing concerns about corporate media consolidation and political bias. Now, his administration is again expected to take a close look.

DOJ Antitrust Division head Gail Slater, a former Fox and Roku executive turned advisor to Vice President J.D. Vance, has indicated her office is focused on the real-world costs of monopolies, including the 5% of average household income spent on rising entertainment subscriptions.

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos tried to calm the political storm, saying the deal is “pro-consumer, pro-innovation, and pro-worker.” But those words may fall flat in a climate where corporate promises are no longer taken at face value especially when they come from companies that just hiked prices.

Meanwhile, in Europe, competition authorities are preparing their own review, and the European cinema trade body UNIC has voiced direct opposition to the merger, warning it could cripple theatrical releases across 39 countries.

With DOJ review looming and bipartisan skepticism mounting, the Netflix-Warner Bros merger may be shaping up to be the most contentious media deal in years.

This time, both the Left and Right agree bigger isn’t always better especially when it means fewer choices, higher prices, and less freedom.

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