Paramount makes new allegations in the Department of Justice’s review of its proposed Warner Bros. Discovery transaction, accusing Netflix of running a “scorched-earth” effort to undermine the deal. Across reports, Paramount’s legal team says Netflix is trying to “poison regulators and other stakeholders” amid regulatory scrutiny, framing the actions as an attempt to derail or influence the merger outcome. Paramount’s chief lawyer also characterizes Netflix’s concern as tied to the prospect of competing against a merged Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery, and argues the streaming company is escalating pressure beyond normal regulatory engagement.
Netflix disputes the claims, calling Paramount’s accusations “absurd” in response to the allegations. The dispute centers on Netflix’s position as a major streaming competitor with overlapping stakes in the industry, while the DOJ review continues for a transaction reported at about $111 billion involving Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming and studios businesses. The competing claims reflect the broader campaign around major consolidation in media and the role of regulators and stakeholders during the review process.
