Netflix Sends Late-Night Letter to 300 Million Users After Warner Bros. Deal, Assures “Nothing Is Changing Today”
Netflix reassures users that nothing changes immediately after its major Warner Bros. acquisition, promising stable plans and no instant content shifts.
Netflix tells 300 million users that no immediate changes will occur after announcing its Warner Bros. acquisition.
Netflix moved swiftly to calm its global subscriber base after announcing its massive $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., which includes HBO, HBO Max, and the studio’s extensive film and TV portfolio. In a late-night email sent to more than 300 million subscribers, the streaming giant emphasised that “nothing is changing today,” assuring viewers that both platforms will continue to operate independently during the lengthy regulatory process.
The transaction that has occurred and has become one of the largest in the history of entertainment is forecasted to be finalized in 12 to 18 months. Netflix also mentioned that nothing will change concerning existing plans, features, and content libraries until the necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals are obtained.
In the letter, Netflix reiterated:
“We have more steps to complete before the deal is closed… You’ll hear from us when we have more to share.”
The company also updated its Help Center, clarifying that Warner Bros. content will not immediately appear on Netflix, and subscribers will continue using their existing membership plans without modifications.
Political and Industry Pushback
The acquisition has sparked intense criticism from lawmakers and creative guilds.
Senator Elizabeth Warren called the merger an “anti-monopoly nightmare.”
Representative Pramila Jayapal warned of “more price hikes, ads, and cookie-cutter content.”
Senator Mike Lee, a Republican, urged antitrust watchdogs worldwide to scrutinize the deal.
Industry organizations—including the Producers Guild of America, Writers Guild, and SAG-AFTRA—have raised concerns about job cuts, diminished creative freedom, and reduced competition.
Netflix Stands Firm
Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, stood firm amidst the criticism and portrayed the acquisition as a victory for both customers and producers. He characterized the merger as "prosumer, pro-innovation, pro-labor, pro-creator and pro-expansion," while also pointing out that the new company would be more powerful than each independent company.
If the merger gets the green light, it would be a union of the iconic Warner Bros. franchises—Harry Potter, Friends, Game of Thrones, the DC Universe—with Netflix's most popular series such as Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Squid Game, and Wednesday. Yet, Netflix made it clear that no content crossover would happen until the earliest closing date of December 2026.
