Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson (Preview) Netflix Opportunities and Anxieties, Merger Hurdles to Come, Hollywood’s Endgame and What Comes Next
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Dec 12, 2025 The discussion dives into Netflix's bold $72 billion offer for Warner Brothers, exploring the strategic motives behind the acquisition. Netflix's concerns about YouTube's competitive edge are highlighted, especially its creator-driven model that poses challenges for Netflix's licensed content. The conversation also touches on the evolution of TV into a comfort food space and the struggles Netflix faces in crafting rewatchable shows. Finally, creator burnout on YouTube is addressed, illustrating the intense demands of the platform.
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Listener Photo Prompted Immediate Coverage
- Jean at UVA and friends reacted with mock devastation to the Netflix–Warner rumor, sending a dramatized photo to the hosts.
- Ben used the note as impetus to publish his take quickly and even did an emergency interview.
YouTube Is Netflix's Biggest Threat
- Ben Thompson argues Netflix is "scared" of YouTube because YouTube now leads in TV watch time and has structural advantages.
- YouTube's free, creator-supplied content and personalization threaten Netflix's share of viewers on TV.
Creator Supply Beats Studio Libraries
- YouTube owns vast supply because creators publish there and monetize, making its content effectively zero marginal cost for Netflix to match.
- That creator ecosystem gives YouTube a more durable position in the attention economy than Netflix's Hollywood content.