Overview
- Paramount secured Warner Bros. with a $31-a-share offer valued around $111 billion after Netflix’s lower proposal.
- Sarandos says Paramount manufactured a loud narrative that a regulatory hurdle would sink Netflix’s bid.
- He maintains the transaction was a vertical deal with no duplicated assets as the Justice Department examined it and says the probe has concluded.
- He rejects claims of political interference, characterizing President Trump’s criticism of Netflix director Susan Rice as a social media post while Democrats asked the DOJ for details about meetings.
- Shifting messaging to Europe, he highlights more than $13 billion invested in European productions, outreach to cinema operators and a warning that YouTube is a direct rival to TV and streaming.