Netflix CEO Brushes Off Rumors That Company Will Buy WB – “We’re Builders Not Buyers”

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Netflix is dismissing rumors about a potential purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery. During a recent conference in Los Angeles hosted by Bloomberg, Netflix’s co-CEO, Greg Peters, directly addressed the speculation and confirmed it was not true.

His response couldn’t have been clearer: don’t count on it.

Peters explained that his company has a long history of creating things independently, rather than simply acquiring other businesses—a comment widely seen as a criticism of Disney CEO Bob Iger. He added that large media mergers often don’t prove successful in the long run and should be viewed with caution.

This announcement casts doubt on rumors that Netflix was planning a major merger or acquisition in Hollywood. The speculation started after David Ellison, supported by his father Larry Ellison (founder of Oracle), finalized an $8 billion deal for Paramount and Skydance, and then reportedly considered buying Warner Bros. Discovery.

But according to Peters, Netflix doesn’t see size as the key to success.

As a film buff, I always think about how studios evolve, and it seems like the big question for any company is always, ‘How do we get bigger and better?’ For a studio, that might mean buying another one if it makes sense, but if not, they need to explore other options. It’s all about finding the right path to growth, whatever that may be.

Competing in a Crowded Arena

During a discussion, moderator Lucas Shaw jokingly pointed out to David Peters that he was up against Larry Ellison, one of the wealthiest people globally, due to Ellison’s investment in Skydance. Peters responded positively, saying the added competition was energizing and would push everyone to do their best.

Despite the recent high-profile agreements, he emphasized that Netflix’s core business remains unchanged. When questioned about reports of Skydance and Paramount offering $7.7 billion for UFC broadcasting rights, Peters dismissed the notion that Netflix needed to compete with that level of investment.

He said if Netflix loses a bid, he’d tell them to move on and try to make as much money as possible from whatever they end up with.

According to Peters, Netflix has consistently succeeded by prioritizing new ideas and improvements over buying other companies, and this strategy appears to be working well. Currently, Netflix is valued at approximately $516 billion, making it the 19th most valuable company worldwide. In contrast, Warner Bros. Discovery is valued at $44 billion, placing it around 530th globally.

The “Cancel Netflix” Campaign and Cultural Pressure

The conference also discussed other difficulties Netflix is experiencing, such as increasing criticism. Recently, Elon Musk started a campaign on his social media platform, X, to boycott Netflix, claiming the company is promoting certain beliefs in its shows for children.

Peters didn’t respond directly to Musk’s comments, but he explained Netflix’s general approach to criticism. He stated that the company will only remove shows or movies if legally obligated, because when you create content for so many people—almost a billion—it’s inevitable that some of it will offend someone.

Peters explained that their work involves addressing issues people have with their service – things that some users find unpleasant or even damaging. He described this as simply ‘the business they’re in’.

Netflix’s Growth and Focus

Even with some recent issues, Netflix is still doing very well financially. They exceeded what analysts predicted for the first half of 2025 and now expect to earn between $44.8 and $45.2 billion for the year – an increase from their previous estimate of $43.5–$44.5 billion. This represents a projected growth of 15–16% compared to the previous year.

Netflix has stopped sharing how many people subscribe and is now highlighting how much people are watching and its financial performance instead.

During the conference, Peters announced that Netflix is growing its gaming efforts. They’re adding a collection of casual, TV-friendly “party games” like Boggle Party, Pictionary: Game Night, Lego Party, and Tetris Time Warp.

The Bottom Line: Netflix isn’t Coming for WB…Yet

Greg Peters didn’t directly say no, but during a recent talk at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference, he made it clear Netflix isn’t planning to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in the near future. He dismissed the idea as Wall Street focusing too much on company size instead of smart business decisions.

Peters explained that Netflix has a long history of creating things from scratch instead of acquiring other companies. He also pointed out that large media mergers haven’t often been successful. Essentially, Netflix is confident it can continue to grow on its own, without taking on the issues – or financial burdens – of another company.

However, his statement wasn’t a complete no. Peters didn’t dismiss the possibility of a deal with Netflix in the future if it fit their overall goals, but he emphasized it’s not something they’re considering right now. Currently, Netflix appears focused on growing its own services rather than acquiring other companies, and definitely isn’t looking to bail out Warner Bros. Discovery.

In short: WB may still be for sale, but Netflix may not be buying.

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2025-10-09 17:57