Sen. Elizabeth Warren is sharply criticizing Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros., calling the massive entertainment merger a “nightmare” that she warns will lead to higher subscription prices and fewer consumer choices.
In a statement, the Massachusetts Democrat said, “This deal looks like an anti-monopoly nightmare. A Netflix-Warner Bros. would create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market — threatening to force Americans into higher subscription prices and fewer choices over what and how they watch, while putting American workers at risk.”
Warren also condemned the Trump administration’s handling of merger reviews, accusing officials of political interference.
“Under Donald Trump, the antitrust review process has also become a cesspool of political favoritism and corruption,” she said. “The Justice Department must enforce our nation’s anti-monopoly laws fairly and transparently — not use the Warner Bros. deal review to invite influence-peddling and bribery.”
Her remarks come after months of scrutiny over the Warner Bros. sale, including from some Republicans. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who chairs the Senate Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, posted on X that the potential merger “should send alarm to antitrust enforcers around the world.”
Warren has also been critical of Netflix’s rival, Paramount, during its earlier bid for Warner Bros. assets. She and other Democrats have questioned CEO David Ellison over the Trump administration’s approval of the Skydance–Paramount Global merger.
Meanwhile, Netflix maintains confidence that the transaction will be approved. On a Friday investor call, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the company is “highly confident in the regulatory process,” describing the proposed merger as “pro-consumer, pro-innovation, pro-worker, pro-creator.”
Source: Deadline