MOVIE NEWS – As Netflix emerges with the winning bid to acquire Warner Bros. Pictures – and with it a treasure trove of iconic franchises – the company is trying to reassure subscribers that this is all in the name of better entertainment. In a new statement, the streamer insists the deal will “give audiences more of what they love” and “help define the next century of storytelling,” even as we still wait to see whether regulators will actually sign off on the buyout Ted Sarandos and his team are so eager to close.
Netflix says its mission has always been to entertain the world, and the company now argues that bringing Warner Bros.’ legendary library under its umbrella is the next logical step. The statement points to a catalogue that runs from all-time classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern juggernauts such as Harry Potter and Friends, all of which would sit side by side with Netflix’s so-called “culture-defining” hits, including Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game. On paper, it is a merger of old Hollywood and the algorithm era.
“Defining the next century of storytelling.”
In the company’s own words, “Our mission has always been to entertain the world. By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies—from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends—with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters, and Squid Game, we’ll be able to do that even better. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.”
Greg Peters, Netflix co-CEO, framed the buyout as a long-term play that will pay off for decades: “This acquisition will improve our offering and accelerate our business for decades to come. Warner Bros. has helped define entertainment for more than a century and continues to do so with phenomenal creative executives and production capabilities. With our global reach and proven business model, we can introduce a broader audience to the worlds they create—giving our members more options, attracting more fans to our best-in-class streaming service, strengthening the entire entertainment industr,y and creating more value for shareholders.”
For some, the prospect of so many beloved classics being folded into yet another tech giant’s content silo is enough to make you feel queasy, and for plenty of different reasons. While fans speculate – and worry – about what this means for their favorite movies and shows, newly surfaced details are already spelling out what Netflix intends to do with rival streaming platform HBO Max if the deal goes through.
HBO Max stays – but its best content will slowly move
Contrary to what many might assume, Netflix’s immediate plan is apparently not to erase HBO Max as a separate service. Instead, the documentation describes HBO and HBO Max as complementary offerings: “HBO and HBO Max also provide a compelling, complementary offering for consumers. Netflix expects to maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films.”
That does not mean HBO Max is safe in the long run. The same details reveal that HBO and HBO Max programming will gradually be folded into Netflix’s own catalogue over time: “By adding the deep film and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose. This also allows Netflix to optimize its plans for consumers, enhancing viewing options and expanding access to content.”
The companies say the transaction is “expected to be completed in Q3 2026,” following Warner Bros. Discovery’s plan to split its current “Streaming & Studios” and “Global Networks” divisions into two separately traded public companies. Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav has also issued a statement stressing the supposed cultural upside.
“Today’s announcement combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love to watch the most. For more than a century, Warner Bros. has thrilled audiences, captured the world’s attention, and shaped our culture. By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come.”
Source: Movieweb
