Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos expressed confidence about the proposed merger with Warner Bros., stating that President Donald Trump has shown no signs of improper involvement. Speaking at the DGA Awards, Sarandos emphasized the deal's benefits for consumers amid a highly competitive streaming landscape. He also addressed concerns over content decisions and industry health.
On the red carpet at the Directors Guild of America Awards on Saturday night, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos fielded questions about the ongoing proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. When pressed on President Donald Trump's comments about monitoring the deal, Sarandos acknowledged Trump's interest in the entertainment sector. "He knows about the entertainment business, and he really does care about the health of the industry," Sarandos told Variety's Marc Malkin. However, he quickly added that Trump has given no indication of involvement beyond proper channels, noting, "This is the DOJ's deal."
This came after Trump clarified in an NBC News interview earlier in the week that he would not personally review the merger, leaving it to the Justice Department. Sarandos had testified before a Senate subcommittee just days earlier, on Tuesday, where he defended the merger's value to consumers. He highlighted the intense competition in the market, describing it as a "Wild West landscape." For instance, YouTube already commands 15% of TV viewing time and continues to expand, while Netflix holds just 9% of the TV business. Incorporating HBO would push Netflix to 10%, which Sarandos dismissed as posing no antitrust risk.
Sarandos also reaffirmed Netflix's commitment to Warner Bros.' theatrical releases, promising to "nurture Warner Brothers and HBO and Warner Brothers Television and make those great brands even better for the next century." He refuted a senator's claim that 50% of Netflix's children's content promotes "trans ideology," calling it "ludicrous." Viewers, he noted, can easily block offending titles—a feature unique to the platform.
Addressing the cancellation of Netflix's "Boots," Sarandos denied any influence from the Department of War, insisting decisions stem purely from business metrics like viewer completion rates and engagement. "It's heartbreaking to cancel any show ever, particularly a show that Norman Lear brought to me. It was his last show," he said, underscoring the emotional weight of such choices in an audience-driven industry.
