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Netflix Sends Subscribers Email Promising ‘Nothing Is Changing Today,’ as Concern Over Price Rises Grows Following Warner Bros. Acquisition News

 07/12/2025 2 Views

Netflix has sent subscribers an email of reassurance following the news of its $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros., amid concern over potential price rises.

The email — reviewed by IGN — promises subscribers that “nothing is changing today,” and confirms that the Warner Bros.-owned streaming platform HBO Max and Netflix will continue to operate separately until the deal closes. Netflix goes on to say that there are a number of steps it needs to complete before the deal closes, including regulatory and shareholder approval.

Hot on the heels of Friday’s dramatic announcement, Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren called on the Justice Department to examine Netflix’s buyout of Warner Bros., branding the deal “like an anti-monopoly nightmare.” Netflix has said acquiring Warner Bros. would provide better value to subscribers and shareholders, but Warren insisted a Netflix-owned Warner Bros. risked job losses and higher subscription prices, and said that the Justice Department must now enforce the country’s anti-monopoly laws “fairly and transparently.”

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

Netflix’s email to subscribers does not rule out future price rises, but does promise that current membership plans will remain in place at least until the deal goes through. As for when that will be, Netflix said it expects to close the translation in 12-18 months. So, at the earliest, December 2026, but it could be as late as summer 2027.

Here’s the Netflix email in full:

We’ve recently announced that Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO. This unites our leading entertainment service with Warner Bros.’ iconic stories, bringing some of the world’s most beloved franchises like Harry Potter, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Casablanca, Game of Thrones and the DC Universe together with Stranger Things, Wednesday, Squid Game, Bridgerton and KPop Demon Hunters.

What’s changing?

Nothing is changing today. Both streaming services will continue to operate separately. We have more steps to complete before the deal is closed, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. You’ll hear from us when we have more to share. In the meantime, we hope you’ll continue to enjoy watching as much as you want, whenever you want – all on your current membership plan.

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We know you might have questions. Check out our Help Centre for more information or contact us at any time.

Thank you for choosing Netflix. We’re committed to bringing you more great series, films, games and live programming.

The Netflix team

The Help Centre makes things more definitive. When will Warner Bros. shows become available on Netflix? “Nothing is changing with content currently on Netflix,” the FAQ states. “Netflix and Warner Bros. will remain separate until the transaction is closed.”

And, will there be any changes to my monthly subscription plan? “Nothing is changing with your current plan,” Netflix said. “Continue enjoying our variety of quality movies, TV shows, games and live programming all on your current membership plan.”

There is also a message of reassurance for questions around whether HBO Max subscribers should cancel: “Netflix and Warner Bros. will remain separate until the transaction is closed.”

Based on all this, it seems likely that Warner Bros. shows will arrive on Netflix when the deal closes, and when that happens a price rise seems inevitable.

But will the deal close? Warren warned that a Netflix-Warner Bros. “would create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market — threatening to force Americans into higher subscription prices and fewer choices over what and how they watch, while putting American workers at risk.”

Warren’s comments were echoed by U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, co-chair of the House Monopoly Busters Caucus, who also labelled the deal as a “nightmare.”

“It would mean more price hikes, ads, and cookie cutter content, less creative control for artists, and lower pay for workers,” Jayapal stated. “The media industry is already controlled by a few corporations with too much power to censor free speech. The gov’t must step in.”

One report has claimed Netflix is particularly keen to obtain Warner Bros.’ vast content library as the streamer ramps up its potential to offer AI-generation tools and content in the future, just weeks after Disney boss Bob Iger confirmed it would imminently begin rolling out AI content and capabilities via Disney+.

Criticism of Netflix’s move has also come from both sides of the aisle, as Republican Senator Mike Lee, who also leads the Senate antitrust committee, suggested earlier this week that the idea of the streaming service owning Warner Bros. “should send alarm to antitrust enforcers around the world.”

In an investor call this week attended by IGN, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos struck a confident tone when asked about the deal’s chance of success. “We’re highly confident in the regulatory process. This deal is pro-consumer, pro-innovation, pro-worker, it’s pro-creator, it’s pro-growth.”

As part of the same call, Sarandos said Netflix would continue to release Warner Bros. movies in theaters for now, though expected theatrical release windows to shorten over time to become “more user friendly.”

Photo by Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez/picture alliance via Getty Images.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.