Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has dismissed reports that the US Department of Justice was investigating the streaming giant over its recent bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, calling much of the coverage “inaccurate.”
In an interview with Bloomberg, Sarandos said the inquiry was routine and that Netflix had cooperated with multiple regulatory bodies worldwide. “This was completely normal. We were not only involved with the DOJ, but with 50 regulatory bodies around the world. Everything proceeded as expected,” he said.
Addressing suggestions of political opposition to the deal, Sarandos added, “I don’t know that there was growing political resistance. It was a growing narrative of political resistance. The DOJ followed its standard procedure, and the president remained neutral.”
Netflix had launched an $83 billion bid for Warner Bros Discovery last year, but withdrew after Paramount offered $111 billion. The Warner Bros board has since approved the Paramount deal, expected to close later this year.
