Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos Arrives At White House Amid WBD Talks

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos arrived at the White House as Netflix pursues a deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a CNBC report.

Sarandos’ visit comes as attention focuses on potential consolidation in the media and streaming industry. Netflix, which has grown into the dominant subscription streaming service in the U.S., has increasingly been mentioned in connection with possible transactions involving major legacy entertainment companies.

CNBC reported Sarandos’ arrival at the White House amid Netflix’s pursuit of a Warner Bros. Discovery deal. No additional details about the timing, participants, or agenda of the White House visit were provided in the report.

Warner Bros. Discovery is the parent company of HBO and Warner Bros., and its future has been the subject of extensive industry scrutiny as companies reassess scale, streaming economics, and debt loads. Variety has also published an explainer framing Netflix as having a “winning bid” and outlining an acquisition process, reflecting how closely Wall Street and Hollywood are watching the situation.

The development matters because any transaction involving Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery would be one of the largest and most consequential shifts in U.S. entertainment in years, potentially reshaping content pipelines, distribution strategy, and competition across streaming, film, and television. A White House visit by Netflix’s top executive underscores that major media deals can draw attention well beyond corporate boardrooms, given their potential implications for jobs, consumers, and the broader information and entertainment ecosystem.

The political dimension around media policy is also in focus across the industry. Another recent headline, from AOL.com, noted that Paramount has tapped an ex-Trump official as its vice president of public policy amid a Warner Bros. bid. Separately, Seeking Alpha published key takeaways from Paramount Skydance earnings amid a bid for Warner Bros., adding to a wider picture of companies positioning themselves for regulatory, policy, and competitive scrutiny as they pursue major strategic moves.

For Netflix, any push toward a Warner Bros. Discovery deal would represent a significant step beyond its historical approach of building global scale primarily through product, distribution, and content investment rather than large mergers. For Warner Bros. Discovery, such interest highlights the high stakes surrounding the company’s assets, including premium brands and long-standing studio operations.

What happens next will depend on the formal status of any negotiations and whether potential partners or bidders move toward definitive terms. Investors and industry observers will also be watching for any public statements from Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, or the White House clarifying the purpose of Sarandos’ visit and the contours of any talks.

For now, Sarandos’ arrival at the White House lands at a pivotal moment for the streaming industry, as the biggest players weigh deals that could redefine the competitive landscape.