Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros, Owner of Harry Potter Franchise

Netflix has agreed to purchase Warner Bros., the legendary Hollywood studio and owner of the Harry Potter and Game of Thrones franchises, in a groundbreaking £54 billion deal that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. If approved by global competition authorities, the merger would create one of the most influential companies in modern media.

Warner Bros., which also operates streaming service HBO Max, currently licenses its major franchises — including Harry Potter — to multiple platforms. The acquisition is expected to eventually bring these globally beloved titles to Netflix’s vast library, offering subscribers a deeper and more diverse content selection.

Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos said the company is “highly confident” the deal will receive regulatory approval and confirmed that the teams are moving at “full speed” toward completion. He emphasized the historic nature of the merger, stating: “Warner Bros. have defined the last century of entertainment, and together we can define the next one.”

A memo circulated to Warner Bros. employees indicated that the full union is unlikely to finalize before the end of 2026. The message described the merger as a response to “generational change” in how stories are financed, produced, distributed, and discovered, highlighting the studio’s ambition to adapt to a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.

While it remains unclear how the acquisition will impact consumers in the short term, both companies expect the partnership to deliver greater choice, stronger value, and expanded creative opportunities for audiences and industry professionals alike.