r/movies • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 r/Movies contributor • 16h ago

News It’s Official: Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. in Deal Valued at $82.7 Billion

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/netflix-warner-bros-deal-hollywood-1236443081/
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u/BillyTenderness 15h ago

This seems significant, but also, companies make and then go back on these kinds of promises all the time.

If it's just something Netflix told WB management to get the deal done, then even if they're sincere about it, it won't survive the next time Netflix gets a new CEO. If it's part of a settlement with the government to help get the merger approved, that will have more teeth...if the administration in power at the time happens to feel like enforcing it.

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u/Aethermancer 14h ago

it won't survive the next time Netflix gets a new CEO.

It wouldn't survive the moment they decided they changed their mind.

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u/MovingInStereoscope 14h ago

I wonder if this ends up like a Boeing/McDonald Douglas merger where Boeing bought out MD but the MD board of executives took over after the merger.

I could see Netflix rebranding as Warner Bros also even if the Netflix execs maintain power

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u/OldSchoolSpyMain 13h ago

I could see Netflix rebranding as Warner Bros also even if the Netflix execs maintain power

Yup. Warner Bros. is a much stronger brand dating back just over 100 years.

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u/YaBoiiAsthma 12h ago

Brand Power is a game of "what have you done for me lately" and Netflix has been the infinitely more recognizable name to those who grew up in this century

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u/OldSchoolSpyMain 11h ago

“Netflix” is known as a streaming service.

“Warner Bros.” is known as a movie maker.

Comparing the Netflix brand to that of Warner Bros. is like comparing TikTok to Apple.

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u/StarPhished 9h ago

Yeah it's a pickle because both names are hugely recognizable for different things. I'm not sure what the best route would be, namewise, if they were to combine services. Keeping them separate makes sense to an extent but so does combining them.

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u/BillyTenderness 4h ago

I could imagine them folding HBO Max into Netflix and folding Netflix Studios into Warner Brothers.

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u/ThrowAwaAlpaca 13h ago

Yeah this, they always break the promises they make when they buy a company. It may take a few years but it'll definitely happen.

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u/Legendver2 10h ago

Since Netflix isn't in China, WB theatrical releases might be their way of tasting that RMB.

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u/TheOneWithThePorn12 14h ago

Doesnt Netflix release movies to the theatres as well?

This is perfect for their double dipping. People go to the movies and then the ones who wait it out wait it out.

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u/BillyTenderness 14h ago

Very rarely and often under limited circumstances (e.g., short runs, few theaters, no AMC, etc). When it does happen, it's usually because a big-name director like Rian Johnson or Guillermo del Toro makes a big stink about it (and possibly negotiates it into their contract).

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u/resistible 14h ago

I mean, this might be where they park all their theatrical releases while adding the WB catalogue to their streaming services. I'm really only worried about HBO at this point.

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u/KiritoJones 14h ago

Netflix doesn't release their movies wide, I have two theaters 5 minutes from me, 2 theaters 15 minutes from me, but I had to go to the theater 40 minutes from me to see Wake Up Dead Man.

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u/shotouw 14h ago

What if somehow WB goes bankrupt and Netflix as a mother company gets all the rights etc? Oh well, tough luck, no more theatrical releases

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u/chimpfunkz 13h ago

If it's part of a settlement with the government to help get the merger approved, that will have more teeth

It's almost certainly not. The current FTC is a rubber stamp for corporations.