By: Mariana Salvati
The news surrounding Netflix and Warner Brothers has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, marking one of the most significant industry shake-ups in years.
In a blockbuster move that has rocked the entertainment world, Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), including its storied film and television studios, streaming service, and flagship franchises. The deal, valued at approximately $72 billion in equity value (around $82.7 billion enterprise value) puts Netflix firmly on top as Hollywood’s most powerful content owner.
Under the deal, Netflix gains rights to franchises and assets such as Game of Thrones, DC Comics adaptations, the HBO Max streaming library, and much more.
Executives from both sides say the move is aimed at bolstering Netflix’s cinematic and streaming output, while skeptics argue the consolidation raises serious antitrust and creative-freedom concerns.
If approved (the deal is subject to regulatory review), this may mark one of the biggest shifts in how audiences consume films and TV, a potential turning point for streaming vs. theatrical releases.
How the Netflix and Warner Brothers Deal Changes Hollywood
Beyond the numbers, the acquisition raises huge questions about the future of entertainment, for viewers and creators alike. For fans, this could mean access to a massive back catalog of Warner Bros titles on Netflix under one umbrella: from HBO prestige shows to DC superhero sagas.
But some in Hollywood are sounding alarms. A group of well-known film producers has reportedly urged Congress to block the deal, warning that such vertical consolidation could “trigger a significant economic and institutional crisis” for the industry.
For both Netflix and Warner Brothers, the acquisition signals a dramatic shift in strategy, blending vast content libraries under one dominant entertainment brand.
There are also concerns about theatrical distribution. Some fear that under Netflix, major franchises might skip cinemas and go straight to streaming, which could hurt theaters and change the dynamic for movie-going audiences.
On Netflix’s end, execs insist they’ll continue releasing films theatrically, but critics remain unconvinced: will the streaming-giant’s priorities shift over time? Only time will tell.