Netflix’s massive $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery raises big questions for Apple TV, but at least one potential issue has seemingly been resolved. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos says Warner’s TV division will continue selling shows to rival streamers.
Ted Sarandos says Netflix wants Warner TV group to continue licensing shows to other streamers
If Netflix’s purchase of HBO Max and Warner Bros. gains regulatory approval, it could have tremendous ripple effects across the whole industry.
Out of potential ramifications for Apple and the Apple TV service, one initial concern has now seemingly been put to rest.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos—also known as Apple TV’s The Studio actor Ted Sarandos—spoke today at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference. In his remarks, he praised the work of the Warner Bros. Television Group, which is led by a former Netflix staffer, Channing Dungey.
Here’s what Sarandos said, per Deadline:
“The television studio…produces and licenses content to third parties. We were never in that business. We are now. When you…get under the hood, that’s a really healthy business. It’s not as big as ours, and that’s why we haven’t really focused that much on doing it. The growth opportunity on our core business has been greater. But now in this transaction, we own that business, and Channing and that group do a phenomenal job, and we want them to continue to do that phenomenal job.”
Among the shows that Warner’s TV studio produces are several of Apple TV’s biggest hits. These include Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Bad Monkey, and Presumed Innocent—all of which have new seasons coming.
Even though Apple TV is the exclusive streaming home for these series, they were not created in-house but rather are licensed productions.
When the Netflix deal was announced, it was an open question whether the streamer would want to continue producing potential hits for its rivals. But it seems they plan to continue doing just that.
How do you think Netflix’s HBO Max and WBD acquisition might impact Apple TV? Let us know in the comments.
Apple TV is available for $12.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, Pluribus, and more. You can also get it through the Apple One bundle.
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