A coalition of 11 Republican attorneys general, led by Nebraska’s Mike Hilgers and Montana’s Austin Knudsen, has called on the Department of Justice to closely examine the proposed $70 billion merger between Netflix Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., warning it could create a streaming monopoly that stifles competition, drives up subscription costs, reduces content quality, and limits innovation.
In a letter sent to the DOJ on Tuesday, the AGs argued the deal would grant Netflix an outsized market share by eliminating key competitors and vertically foreclosing access to Warner’s vast content libraries — crucial inputs for rivals. “If Netflix is permitted to consummate its acquisition of Warner Brothers, the elimination of competitors and the vertical foreclosure of content library inputs that are crucial to competitors may lead to, among other things, a monopoly that will charge the State’s citizens higher subscription prices for less content of reduced quality,” the letter states.
The move comes amid escalating tensions over the merger, including a sweetened hostile bid from Paramount Skydance Media on Monday offering $31 per share — a premium to Netflix’s terms — plus willingness to cover a multibillion-dollar termination fee. Paramount’s counterproposal aims to undercut the Netflix deal, highlighting growing antitrust scrutiny in the streaming sector.
President Trump’s DOJ, which recently replaced its antitrust division head, will decide whether to approve or block the transaction under federal antitrust laws. The letter emphasizes potential harms to consumers in the signatory states: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.
Adding a political dimension, the AGs’ concerns echo recent Republican criticisms of Netflix’s content as catering to “left-leaning audiences.” President Trump has publicly attacked the streamer over statements by board member Susan Rice, a former Obama administration official, while GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill have accused Netflix of bias in its programming choices.
The merger, announced in December 2025, would combine Netflix’s dominant streaming platform with Warner Bros. Discovery’s film, TV, and news assets (including HBO, CNN, and DC Comics), potentially controlling over 40% of U.S. streaming market share according to industry estimates. Critics argue this could lead to reduced diversity in content and higher barriers for new entrants.
Representatives for Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and the DOJ did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Paramount Skydance declined to elaborate beyond its bid announcement.
If the DOJ launches a formal investigation, it could delay or derail the deal, setting a precedent for how the Trump administration handles media consolidation amid broader debates over content neutrality and competition in Big Tech-adjacent industries.
