The co chief executive of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, has publicly defended the company’s proposed 82.7 billion dollar takeover of assets from Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing that the deal would strengthen the global entertainment industry rather than weaken it.
Sarandos said the acquisition would generate growth, expand production opportunities and inject new capital into film and television markets, including the United Kingdom. His remarks come as rival bidder Paramount Skydance explores a potential counter offer for the studio assets, setting the stage for a high stakes battle over some of Hollywood’s most valuable intellectual property.
According to reports, Sarandos rejected claims that Netflix’s scale would crowd out competition. Instead, he argued that the streaming giant’s track record demonstrates its capacity to invest heavily in production, talent and local content ecosystems. Netflix has become one of the largest commissioners of original programming in the UK, supporting studios, crews and creative industries across the country.
Sarandos framed the proposed transaction as a long term growth play rather than a consolidation designed to limit rivals. He suggested that Netflix’s ownership of Warner Bros assets would unlock efficiencies, expand distribution and create new creative opportunities across film, television and streaming platforms. The company’s position is that scale is necessary to compete in an increasingly fragmented and capital intensive media landscape.
The deal has also drawn political scrutiny. Former US president Donald Trump has reportedly warned Netflix of consequences unless it removes a prominent Democrat from its board, escalating tensions between the company and conservative political figures. While details of the warning were not fully elaborated, the intervention underscores how major media transactions are increasingly entangled with partisan politics.
Sarandos did not directly address the political pressure in detail but emphasised Netflix’s commitment to creative independence and commercial strategy. Industry analysts note that large scale mergers in the media sector frequently attract regulatory and political attention, particularly when they involve companies with global influence over information, entertainment and cultural output.
The proposed acquisition, valued at roughly 83 billion dollars, would represent one of the largest deals in entertainment history. Warner Bros Discovery controls a vast portfolio of film studios, television networks and premium content libraries. Integrating those assets into Netflix’s streaming ecosystem could significantly expand its catalogue and bargaining power with distributors and advertisers.
However, critics warn that further consolidation may reduce competition in Hollywood, limit buyer options for independent producers and increase market dominance among a handful of global platforms. Supporters counter that traditional studios are under financial strain due to declining cable revenues and rising production costs, making strategic mergers a rational response to industry disruption.
Sarandos argued that Netflix’s model has consistently expanded overall production spending rather than shrinking it. The company has invested billions annually in original content, commissioning projects across multiple countries and languages. In the UK alone, Netflix has funded major studio developments and supported thousands of jobs in film and television production.
Regulators are expected to scrutinise the proposed deal carefully, weighing its impact on competition, consumer choice and industry diversity. Any counter bid from Paramount Skydance would further complicate the landscape and could drive up the final valuation.
The outcome of the takeover battle will shape the next phase of global media consolidation. As streaming competition intensifies and traditional broadcasting models continue to erode, companies are seeking scale, intellectual property depth and international reach to secure long term profitability.
Sarandos’s defence signals that Netflix views the acquisition not merely as expansion, but as a strategic pivot designed to consolidate its position at the centre of a rapidly evolving entertainment economy.
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