Paramount Skydance has accused Netflix of running a “scorched-earth” campaign aimed at derailing Paramount’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming and studios businesses. In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Justice, Paramount’s chief legal officer says Netflix is trying to “poison regulators and other stakeholders” during the merger’s ongoing regulatory review. Multiple outlets report that Paramount characterizes Netflix’s conduct as aggressive advocacy directed at regulators and other parties involved in evaluating the transaction.
Netflix disputes the allegation. Deadline reports that Netflix calls Paramount’s claims “absurd.” Variety similarly frames Paramount’s argument around the notion that Netflix fears competition from a combined Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery and therefore is attempting to influence the review process.
The deal under review is valued at about $111 billion, according to the reporting. The dispute centers on competing companies’ efforts to influence regulators as the DOJ considers the merger and related competitive and market issues.
