In a seismic shift for the entertainment world, streaming titan Netflix is poised to acquire the legendary film studio Warner Bros in a colossal deal worth £62 billion. This move signals a major victory for the small screen, as on-demand content continues to dominate the industry.
From Humble Beginnings to Hollywood Giant
The proposed takeover would unite Netflix, the home of global phenomena like Squid Game and The Crown, with the century-old studio behind cinematic classics. Warner Bros was founded in 1923 by the four Warner brothers: Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack. Starting with a single movie projector, they built a business encompassing theatres, distribution, and production.
Rising to become Hollywood's most successful independent studio in the 1920s, it famously rivalled giants like Paramount and MGM. The company was a pioneer, leading the charge into sound and colour film as the silent era ended. Beyond its live-action staples like Batman and Casablanca, its Looney Tunes cartoons introduced iconic characters such as Bugs Bunny, who remains the corporate mascot.
A New Era for Streaming and Cinema
The balance of power in show business has been overturned by the rise of streaming. Netflix, which began as a DVD rental service in 1998, now boasts over 300 million global subscribers and a market valuation nearing £330 billion. This acquisition places a vast library, including the Harry Potter franchise and cable TV giant HBO (Game of Thrones, The Sopranos), under the Netflix umbrella.
The deal has not been without controversy. Other bidders included Paramount Skydance and Comcast. Paramount, which has links to the Trump administration, has complained about the sale process, and a White House official recently expressed "heavy scepticism." The agreement will require regulatory approval.
Fears have been raised for cinemas that rely on exclusive theatrical windows. However, Netflix has stated that Warner Bros films will continue to have a traditional cinema release first. Notably, the deal excludes news channel CNN and the Discovery channel, which are being spun off into a separate company next year.
Executives and the Future Landscape
Greg Peters, co-chief executive of Netflix, commented on the historic move: "Warner Bros has helped define entertainment for more than a century. With our global reach and proven business model, we can introduce a broader audience to the worlds they create."
This £62 billion acquisition marks one of the largest media consolidations in history, firmly positioning streaming services at the forefront of content creation and distribution. It underscores the relentless competition in the streaming wars, with Netflix securing an almost unrivalled catalogue to battle rivals like Amazon, which now owns MGM.
