Netflix faces consumer class-action lawsuit over $72bn Warner Bros deal

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian/Reuters

Tue 9 Dec 2025 14.41 EST
Last modified on Tue 9 Dec 2025 14.53 EST


Netflix has been hit with a consumer lawsuit seeking to block the online video giant’s planned $72bn acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming businesses. The proposed class action was filed on Monday by a subscriber to Warner Bros-owned HBO Max who said the proposed deal threatened to reduce competition in the US subscription video-on-demand market.

Some members of Congress have sharply questioned Netflix’s proposal, which is expected to face significant US regulatory scrutiny under antitrust laws. Paramount Skydance on Monday launched a hostile bid worth $108.4bn for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) in a challenge to Netflix’s bid.

US federal antitrust laws allow consumers to sue over mergers and acquisitions, separate from any federal regulatory agency lawsuit, though such cases face high legal hurdles.

Netflix, the world’s largest streaming service, in a statement said: “We believe this suit is meritless and is merely an attempt by the plaintiffs’ bar to leverage all the attention on the deal.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/09/netflix-consumer-lawsuit-warner-bros-deal

[Envirogal]

1. Hope this is consistent for Paramount, too.

There has been too much consolidation in media as it is. These companies just continue to acquire, take in debt, squeeze the company and consumers for every drop of profit and then sell it again.

But if this is a dirty trick by Paramount or Trump Corp. to mess with the Netflix deal, then turnabout is fair play to stop their hostile takeover over.

[PSPS]

3. It will come down to who gives/has given trump the biggest bribe/tribute/flattery

[oldmanlynn]

7. Republicans are gobbling up media outlets like crazy

And when Netflix owned by a Democratic aligned person tries to acquire other media outlets the Republicans see it and stop it. Pure politics

[Qutzupalotl]

2. Paramount would be worse.

Blocking Netflix could let them swoop in.

I long for the day when we can break up media monopolies.

[fujiyamasan]

4. This won't go anywhere unless the corrupt DOJ backs it up

Anyone whining about Netflix in this situation is basically shilling for Ellison because Kushner et al. Are putting their full weight behind Paramount.

This is just another battleground for the right; it’s at war on all fronts. This one is surely financial, but partly cultural as well. They hate Netflix with a passion since Musk started claiming it’s too woke.

[Linda ladeewolf]

5. I don't think there should be any sale or merger, none, nada, too little competition as it is.

[cstanleytech]

6. It's going to be questionable by Republicans until Trump gets a big enough bribe.