WASHINGTON—This afternoon, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing to examine the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. In a rapidly evolving media landscape, this partnership represents a forward-thinking alignment of complementary strengths that will strengthen the domestic creative economy, a catalyst for American innovation and consumer value.
“The Netflix-Warner Bros. merger is a clear win for American households and the future of our digital economy,” said Patrick Hedger, NetChoice Director of Policy. “By merging Netflix’s technological prowess with the iconic creative depth of Warner Bros., this is a pro-innovation partnership that effectively lowers the cost and expands the accessibility of quality entertainment. The deal enables a combined commitment to original content that will provide more opportunities for creators and more choices for viewers. Regulators must view this through the lens of modern market realities, where competition for consumer attention has never been more intense.”
Hedger continued: “Netflix itself is a testament to how poorly regulators perform as fortune tellers. In 2005, the raised eyebrow of antitrust regulators prevented Blockbuster from merging with Hollywood Video only for Netflix to upend the industry shortly after. This tale is a testament to the need for firms to invest and innovate regardless of their perceived strength.”
The consumer benefits are substantial and direct, particularly for the significant overlap of users who currently maintain separate subscriptions for both services.
By integrating these offerings, the merger provides a path toward lower pricing and increased value, refuting claims of forced bundling or diminished choice. Instead, the transaction promises more content per dollar, ensuring that high-quality American productions are accessible and affordable.
Furthermore, the merger addresses the economic realities of the modern “attention market.” When looking at total television viewing across all platforms—including broadcast, cable, and satellite—the combined entity would represent only a 10% share, competing with everyone from NBC Universal to Disney, YouTube, and even social media and gaming platforms. In a fragmented landscape where streaming platforms must compete against social media and gaming for every minute of engagement, this deal provides the scale necessary to sustain and grow investment in the creative workforce.
Rather than artificially contracting the market, the Netflix-Warner Bros. merger empowers the combined company to expand production, ultimately benefiting the writers, directors and crews who form the backbone of American entertainment, and elevating content for consumers.
Find NetChoice’s Statement for the Record here.
Watch the hearing live here at 2:30 PM Eastern Time.
Please contact press@netchoice.org with inquiries.
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