US President Donald Trump declared that he will take part in deciding whether to permit the deal for the streaming service Netflix to acquire the company Warner Bros. in accordance with antitrust legislation.
Earlier, CNBC, citing a source in the Trump administration, reported that the White House views the transaction with considerable doubt.
“They (Netflix – ed.) have a very large market share. And when they obtain Warner Bros., that share will greatly increase, so I don’t know—economists must decide. And I will also be involved in making this choice,” Trump told reporters at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, when asked about the deal.
The American leader added that Netflix head Ted Sarandos visited the Oval Office last week.
“It must go through the process (antitrust review – ed.); we will observe the outcome. Netflix is an excellent firm. They have done a phenomenal job. Ted is an amazing individual; I highly respect him, but it’s a large market share,” Trump stated.
Netflix announced it will purchase the company Warner Bros. for $83 billion.
In November, the New York Times newspaper, citing sources, reported that Netflix is among the main contenders to buy the mass media and entertainment conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery and the pay television network HBO.
This conglomerate was formed in 2022 through the merger of Warner Media and Discovery Inc. The company’s brands include Discovery, HBO Max, CNN, HBO Food Network, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. In June, Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans to split into Warner Bros. and Discovery Global.
The Netflix company was established in 1997, with its headquarters located in Los Gatos, California. Since 2013, it has been involved in producing its own films, series, and television programs.
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