Bloomberg Talks Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos Talks Warner Bro. Deal, Future of Movie Theaters
Feb 19, 2026
Ted Sarandos, Netflix Co-CEO and longtime entertainment executive overseeing content strategy, discusses Netflix’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery and why the deal makes long-term sense. He talks about shareholder reactions, regulatory hurdles, and how a combined company would approach theatrical releases and union commitments. Short, direct takes on strategy, structure, and industry impact.
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Acquisition As A Long-Term Accelerant
- Netflix believes the Warner Bros deal is a long-term accelerant that unlocks century-old IP with Netflix's consumer model.
- Ted Sarandos says the acquisition complements Netflix's original programming and will maximize IP returns over time.
Deal Framed As Strategic, Not Defensive
- Netflix runs for the long term and expects this deal to improve revenue and operating income over time.
- Sarandos points to recent growth metrics to argue the company is not making a defensive move.
Engage Regulators Transparently
- Walk regulators through normal antitrust processes and provide industry context to ease concerns.
- Netflix expects to navigate DOJ and global reviews and emphasizes transparency in the regulatory path.