Eleven US states urge DOJ to thoroughly probe Netflix-Warner Bros. deal [View all]

Source: Reuters

February 25, 2026 11:13 AM EST Updated 4 hours ago


Feb 25 (Reuters) - Republican attorneys general from 11 U.S. states have urged the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a thorough review of Netflix's bid to acquire studio and streaming assets from Warner Bros., saying the deal threatens U.S. dominance in movies.

The pressure is mounting on Netflix to find its way through regulatory hurdles and make a better offer after Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) opened the door to consider Paramount Skydance's (PSKY.O), opens new tab increased bid of $31 per share.

The letter dated February 24 is part of an onslaught of criticism of the deal by U.S. lawmakers, where otherwise pro-business Republicans have levied harsh criticisms. But Netflix faces stiffer political headwinds in Washington, D.C., where Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison's father, billionaire Oracle (ORCL.N) co-founder Larry Ellison, has cultivated a close relationship with President Donald Trump.

David Ellison attended Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night as the guest of Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, Graham posted on social media site X. Nebraska and Montana led the group of states urging the DOJ to scrutinize how the deal would affect customers of streaming services, as well as the market for theatrical movie releases.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/11-us-states-urge-doj-thoroughly-probe-netflix-warner-bros-deal-2026-02-25/