Did Netflix’s path to Warner Bros begin in the White House?

Bloomberg’s reporting uncovered a pivotal Oval Office discussion between Ted Sarandos and Donald Trump, a meeting that added significant weight to the unfolding Netflix Warner Bros deal.

The Sarandos Trump meeting took place as Netflix prepared its historic $82.7 billion bid for Warner Bros. and HBO Max, marking one of the most consequential negotiations in recent media history.

According to Bloomberg, the Sarandos Trump meeting included talk of film incentives but ultimately centered on the Netflix Warner Bros deal, with Sarandos leaving confident that the White House wouldn’t immediately oppose the acquisition.

The Netflix Warner Bros deal has since triggered scrutiny from lawmakers, filmmakers, and antitrust advocates, many of whom worry that the deal could reshape Hollywood’s studio landscape.

Despite pushback, supporters of the Netflix Warner Bros deal argue it strengthens a major streaming platform while preserving theatrical releases.

Paramount-Skydance and Comcast also pursued the company but were ultimately outmaneuvered, making the Netflix Warner Bros deal the frontrunner.