Netflix’s planned purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery has already started reshaping the streaming landscape. The deal, announced in December, is not yet finalized. Paramount continues to push back, but analysts say Netflix is on track to gain control of major entertainment brands including Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and DC’s superhero universe.
Even before the merger closes, Warner Bros. Television shows have been appearing across Netflix in large numbers. In 2025, Netflix added titles like Animal Kingdom, Blindspot, Castle Rock, How to Make It in America, Mom, The Closer, and The West Wing. January brought even more, from Found and Teen Titans GO! to Veronica Mars, Falling Skies, Prodigal Son, and 11.22.63.
The rollout continues in February with Suburgatory, Night Court, Search Party, and What I Like About You. Netflix’s international customers are also seeing a surge, with Warner Bros. shows such as Smallville, 2 Broke Girls, The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, ER, and Rick and Morty expanding worldwide. The growing library is strengthening Netflix’s appeal as it battles new competitors across the streaming market.
It’s tempting to connect this wave of Warner Bros. content directly to the buyout, but industry insiders warn that licensing doesn’t always mean ownership. The streaming giants are adjusting their strategies after years of exclusivity battles. The once fiercely guarded James Bond film collection, for example, is now on Netflix, showing how the old rules are fading.
Money remains the main driver. Licensing brings fast cash to studios and broader exposure for their shows. Netflix, still the largest streaming platform by global reach, offers a level of visibility few others can match. The best example came in 2021, when Netflix revived the Warner Bros.–produced Manifest for a final season after the series exploded in popularity on the platform. It showed how one streamer can give new life to an old network title.
Still, studios tend to keep their biggest hits close. Disney does not license its classic films to rivals, and Warner Bros. is staying cautious with newer titles like Heated Rivalry and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Most Warner Bros. series on Netflix are one-year licenses. If the merger succeeds, many of these shows may find a permanent home there. If not, the deals could lapse just as quickly as they appeared. For now, all eyes are on Hollywood’s next big shift—and whether Netflix can truly cement its place at the top.
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English (US) · 