DOJ opens antitrust review of Netflix's Warner Bros. Discovery deal

The Justice Department sent Netflix a civil investigative demand on February 20, 2026 as part of its review of the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition. The demand cites Section 7 of the Clayton Act and Section 2 of the Sherman Act, and asks whether the deal may substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. Netflix said it neither holds monopoly power nor engages in exclusionary conduct.

• Civil investigative demand dated February 20, 2026, reported February 21
• Cites Clayton Act Section 7 (mergers) and Sherman Act Section 2 (monopolization)
• Review also covers Netflix's dealings with independent filmmakers and studios
• Netflix said it would cooperate with regulators