Warner Bros. CEO Zaslav pitches Netflix deal to European regulators

Warner Bros. CEO Zaslav Pitches Netflix Deal to European Regulators

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav embarked on a regulatory charm offensive across Europe this week, meeting with officials in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom to address concerns about the media company’s pending $83 billion acquisition by Netflix and the planned spinoff of its cable network business.

The lobbying blitz comes as both Netflix’s deal and a competing $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance face scrutiny from U.S. and European regulators, and just one day after President Donald Trump said he would step back from the corporate battle over Warner Bros.

European Tour

On Tuesday, Zaslav met with Wolfram Weimer, Germany’s Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media, in Berlin, discussing HBO Max’s recent January launch in Germany and the state of the media industry, according to The Wrap. The following day, he met Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Amsterdam, examining the shifting media investment environment.thewrap

On Thursday, Zaslav lunched with Lisa Nandy, the U.K. Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in Milan, where discussions centered on HBO Max’s planned late-March launch in the U.K. and Ireland, the upcoming Olympics broadcast, and the fragmented media market. Zaslav also conferred with Tilman Fertitta, the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, about the Netflix agreement and the Discovery Global spinoff.thewrap

Throughout his meetings, Zaslav reassured officials that Warner Bros. Discovery’s traditional broadcasting operations in Europe would “largely remain stable” after the Netflix deal closes, with the company maintaining a “strong dedication to local narratives and content,” according to a source familiar with the discussions.thewrap

Competing Visions

The European push follows Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust on February 3, where he pledged to maintain a 45-day theatrical window for Warner Bros. films and promised the deal would “strengthen the American entertainment industry”.bbc

Meanwhile, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison published an open letter to the U.K. creative community on Wednesday, warning that Netflix’s proposed acquisition could create a “monopolistic or dominant entity” that would stifle competition. Ellison committed to preserving HBO’s independent operations, supporting theatrical distribution, and producing at least 30 films annually if Paramount’s bid succeeds.el-balad

Political Backdrop

President Trump told NBC News on Wednesday that he would not intervene in the competing bids, reversing earlier signals that he might play a role in the regulatory review. “I’ve decided I shouldn’t be involved,” Trump said. “The Justice Department will handle it”.nbcnews

Both deals are under review by the Department of Justice and the European Commission. The DOJ issued a formal “second request” for information on January 16, pausing the statutory waiting period for the Netflix transaction. Netflix expects its deal to close within 12 to 18 months of the December 2025 agreement, while Paramount has extended its tender offer deadline to February 20.wbd