Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos met with U.S. President Donald Trump in November to discuss a potential $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter and Bloomberg. During the meeting, Trump reportedly advised that Warner Bros. should sell to the highest bidder, leaving Sarandos with the impression that the president would likely not block the deal.
Following the media reports, Trump confirmed the meeting and commented on the proposed acquisition. He praised Netflix, saying, “Netflix is a great company. They’ve done a phenomenal job. Ted is a fantastic man. I have a lot of respect for him.” However, he also cautioned about the potential implications for market share, adding, “But it’s a lot of market share, so we’ll have to see what happens.”
Internally, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav had initially been reluctant to sell the company, reportedly surprised by Paramount’s interest in acquiring the studio. Zaslav had preferred to wait until Warner Bros. completed its planned split of movie and streaming operations from its cable networks. Eventually, Warner Bros. opened the door to other bids, leading to a competitive process that Netflix reportedly won, although Paramount retains the option to pursue a hostile bid.
The discussions highlight the high-stakes negotiations and regulatory considerations surrounding one of the largest potential deals in the entertainment industry, with major implications for market dynamics in Hollywood and the streaming sector.
