Part 4/11:

Much of the current stagnation stems from regulatory concerns and political resistance. U.S. officials, including the President, have signaled that certain aspects of a deal involving CNN or Warner Brothers might be problematic, citing issues around media concentration and national interests. The deal’s approval hinges on navigating complex antitrust and media regulations, which appear daunting given the current climate.

Industry insiders like Robert Fishman from Moffett Nathanson advise Netflix to “bow out of the bidding war,” arguing that continued escalation is unnecessary and counterproductive. Instead, they recommend Netflix leverage their current assets, avoiding deepening their involvement in a battle that could ultimately be blocked at the regulatory level.