Since the streaming giant’s press release this week, Netflix Inc. has taken the world by storm with the Warner Bros. acquisition news. The buzz, however, has been stemming from concerns over the kind of influence the OTT brand will have over the company’s projects and the ones to anticipate in the future. The acquisition is being valued at the total enterprise value of around $82 billion, i.e. $72 billion in equity.
The acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery will reportedly include the company’s prominent franchises such as Game of Thrones and the DC Universe. In combination with Netflix’s popular content, the resulting library could witness a significant hike in viewers logging on to the streaming platform. However, the acquisition could only be possible under one major condition in particular.
Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros depends on separation of Discovery Global
The buzz surrounding the acquisition news of Warner Bros. by streaming giant Netflix was reportedly triggered by the probable separation of Discovery Global from Warner Bros. The original Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) group will first have to separate the Global Networks division, also known as Discovery Global.
Today, Netflix announced our acquisition of Warner Bros. Together, we’ll define the next century of storytelling, creating an extraordinary entertainment offering for audiences everywhere. https://t.co/rXPFMNIs1A pic.twitter.com/0pdsMUEob8
— Netflix (@netflix) December 5, 2025
This separation will result in the latter being an independent, “publicly-traded” company, as per the official statement from Netflix Inc.. This global networks division will consist of “CNN, TNT Sports in the U.S., and Discovery, free-to-air channels across Europe, and digital products such as Discovery+ and Bleacher Report.” Only after Discovery Global splits away from WBD can Netflix move to seal the deal.
The separation of Discovery Global from WBD is supposed to complete towards the third quarter of 2026. After this, Netflix can acquire the remaining portion of WBD. This will include the film and streaming businesses of Warner Bros. film and TV studios, HBO, and HBO Max. However, this deal could evolve into a crucial regulatory review for the streaming giant, especially in Europe and the United States.
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Netflix is yet to clear an Antitrust Test for Warner Bros. acquisition
As per a Bloomberg report dated December 5, Netflix Inc.’s victory does not end with confirming the Warner Bros. acquisition news. The streaming platform will also have to convince antitrust regulators that this acquisition will not give leeway for any “illegal advantage in the streaming market.”
In the opinion of critics, Netflix’s position as a single media giant has potential of jeopardizing the market of content being streamed online due to their disproportionate ownership
Social media too has been rife with comments on the same. Users took to Netflix’s X account to express their skepticism regarding the company’s move to acquire Warner Bros. in this whopping $72 billion deal.
This means Netflix now owns..
— Oke Umurhohwo (@OkeStalyf) December 5, 2025
HBO (Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Succession, etc.)
The entire Harry Potter franchise
DC Comics properties
Classic WB library (Casablanca, The Matrix, Looney Tunes, etc.)
This is peak Big Tech eats Hollywood. Traditional studios are getting…
Man pic.twitter.com/Rne9tfkWnm
— vids that go hard (@vidsthatgohard) December 5, 2025
Some netizens shared memes that encapsulate the apparent growing crises regarding the negative consequences theatrical releases could suffer due to this acquisition. Others highlighted that big companies backed by technological advancements are increasingly appearing in the media landscape.
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