Eleven US states urge DOJ to thoroughly probe Netflix-Warner Bros. deal

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

February 25, 2026 11:13 AM EST Updated 4 hours ago


Feb 25 (Reuters) - Republican attorneys general from 11 U.S. states have urged the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a thorough review of Netflix's bid to acquire studio and streaming assets from Warner Bros., saying the deal threatens U.S. dominance in movies.

The pressure is mounting on Netflix to find its way through regulatory hurdles and make a better offer after Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) opened the door to consider Paramount Skydance's (PSKY.O), opens new tab increased bid of $31 per share.

The letter dated February 24 is part of an onslaught of criticism of the deal by U.S. lawmakers, where otherwise pro-business Republicans have levied harsh criticisms. But Netflix faces stiffer political headwinds in Washington, D.C., where Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison's father, billionaire Oracle (ORCL.N) co-founder Larry Ellison, has cultivated a close relationship with President Donald Trump.

David Ellison attended Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night as the guest of Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, Graham posted on social media site X. Nebraska and Montana led the group of states urging the DOJ to scrutinize how the deal would affect customers of streaming services, as well as the market for theatrical movie releases.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/11-us-states-urge-doj-thoroughly-probe-netflix-warner-bros-deal-2026-02-25/

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REFERENCES (some)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143565088
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143577502
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https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143583572
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143586656
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143594173
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143594173
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https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143614575
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143617391
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143621708

[Frasier Balzov]

1. This is a pretense by Trump ass kissers

to prevent a merger unless it further enhances the power of Trump ass kissers.

[NCDem47]

2. Bullshit to steer WB to Ellison's Paramount, owner of CBS

Further RW consolidation in media.

[slightlv]

3. Gods... HOW do we rid ourselves of all these billionaires?!

[bmichaelh]

4. Great Villains of History

Saw a documentary called The Great Villains of History

One segment was about John D. Rockefeller.

When Standard Oil was busted up, he made even more money.

If some future President came up and busted up all of these media conglomerates, these billionaires will make even more money.

Tax them.

[FakeNoose]

5. Since when does the US Dept. of Justice approve corporate mergers and buyouts?

Since when do state Attorneys General have anything to say about corporate activities happening outside their own states? This is just bizarre and a completely obvious political move.

They are kissing Chump's big fat ass and nothing more.

Thirteen years ago Kraft Foods of Chicago purchased H.J. Heinz, closed a dozen factories in Pittsburgh and put over 10,000 Pittsburghers out of jobs. Did any state Attorneys General write letters to the Dept. of Justice about that? No I didn't think so.