UK lawmakers have requested an antitrust investigation into Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Deadline reported. Members of Parliament have formally asked British regulators to review the deal, citing concerns about market dominance and its potential impact on competition within the UK media and entertainment sector.
Deadline reports that lawmakers urged the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to examine the transaction, arguing that the merger could grant Netflix excessive influence across streaming, film distribution, and television production in the region. The request follows Netflix’s recent amendment of its agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery to an all-cash transaction, a move that has intensified regulatory scrutiny surrounding the deal.
The call for a UK antitrust probe adds to growing international pressure facing the acquisition. Mxdwn previously reported that Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery revised their merger agreement to a cash-only structure to simplify the transaction and provide greater certainty for shareholders. While the amendment helped advance the merger process, it also drew increased attention from regulators and policymakers monitoring the consolidation of major media companies.
Deadline notes that British officials have expressed concern that the combined company could significantly reshape the streaming marketplace. Lawmakers have raised questions regarding content control, pricing power, and access to distribution channels, emphasizing the importance of protecting competition and preventing consolidation that could disadvantage consumers and independent content producers.
The UK inquiry request follows months of turbulence surrounding the deal. An earlier mxdwn report detailed how Warner Bros. Discovery faced possible proxy fight as Paramount attempted to disrupt the Netflix agreement by nominating board members and promoting its own competing acquisition proposal. Those developments highlighted the highly contested nature of the transaction and the pressure placed on Warner Bros. Discovery’s leadership during the negotiation process.
The CMA has not yet confirmed whether it will launch a formal investigation. However, Deadline reports that the request reflects growing political interest in reviewing the deal beyond U.S. regulatory oversight. Should regulators move forward with a formal review, the merger could face additional delays or conditions before receiving international approval.
The Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal remains subject to regulatory clearance across multiple regions. With UK lawmakers now seeking further examination, the approval timeline may become increasingly complex as the merger process continues.