Slate Money

Netflix Wants To Have It All

43 snips
Dec 6, 2025
Nicholas Kulish, a New York Times reporter known for his expertise in philanthropy, joins the discussion. He delves into Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. and its profound impact on the media landscape. The talk shifts to the Dells' staggering $6.25 billion donation and its political implications, exploring the motives and potential effects on wealth inequality. Finally, the group uncovers consumer fraud at Dollar General and Family Dollar, highlighting how pricing errors exploit financially vulnerable shoppers.
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INSIGHT

Market Definition Will Decide Antitrust Fate

  • Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. is framed as consolidation to compete with broader rivals like YouTube rather than just other streamers.
  • Antitrust scrutiny hinges on how regulators define the market, and Netflix will argue it's competing across many video platforms.
INSIGHT

Consolidation Raises Prices Not Lower

  • Combining Netflix and HBO Max concentrates premium content under one owner, likely enabling higher prices and less competition.
  • Streaming competition now centers on content breadth, so consolidation tends to push prices up rather than drive cheaper options.
ADVICE

Anticipate Netflix's Antitrust Playbook

  • Expect Netflix to emphasize competition with large platforms like YouTube during regulatory review.
  • Watch for arguments broadening the market to include ad-supported and UGC platforms to reduce antitrust risk.
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