Netflix is expanding its dominance in the entertainment industry. The streaming giant has moved another step closer to purchasing Warner Bros. in an $82.7 billion deal. The purchase is still subject to regulatory approvals, including DOJ clearance. However, if it all goes ahead, Netflix will be purchasing the IP to some massive franchises.
The list of IP includes, but is not limited to, Harry Potter, Friends, DC Comics, Scooby-Do, HBO and HBO Max, Adult Swim, The Big Bang Theory, Sex in the City and much more.
"This acquisition will improve our offering and accelerate our business for decades to come," Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix, said in a statement. "Warner Bros. has helped define entertainment for more than a century and continues to do so with phenomenal creative executives and production capabilities. With our global reach and proven business model, we can introduce a broader audience to the worlds they create—giving our members more options, attracting more fans to our best-in-class streaming service, strengthening the entire entertainment industry and creating more value for shareholders."
The purchase, once confirmed, would see Netflix users receive a significant bump in content on the app. The ability to expand the content offering, while also owning elite studios, gives the company a runway to continue dominating the market for decades to come.
Netflix's Purchase Could Spell Trouble for All Elite Wrestling
At the start of the year, Netflix struck a $5 billion deal with the WWE to have RAW hosted on the platform. The agreement also sees non-US countries receive all WWE content on the app, including Premium Live Events. Therefore, WWE and Netflix are heavily intertwined. The deal is for five years, with the option of a 10-year extension.
So, fans of All Elite Wrestling must be wondering what this purchase could mean for the company. AEW signed a $555 million three-year deal. There is an option of a fourth year. According to Pro Wrestling Insider, Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery won't impact Tony Khan's company much.
"The report claims that the deal between Netflix and WBD will not include the linear channels owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, which will go under the jurisdiction of Discovery Global. Those AEW shows will continue to stream on TNT and TBS. As such, the only point of contention is the content that is on HBO Max, which is also likely to be unaffected due to the nature of the deal between WBD and AEW."
AEW fans will be delighted by this news, as it will give Tony Khan's company the opportunity to continue growing while retaining its audience.
