The Justice Department is examining Netflix Inc.'s proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. with a focus on the streaming giant's market power. Investigators are scrutinizing whether Netflix wields anticompetitive leverage over filmmakers and creators during programming negotiations.

This antitrust review signals growing regulatory concern about streaming platforms' influence in Hollywood. The investigation examines how Netflix's dominant position might affect content creators' bargaining power and creative freedom when licensing shows and movies. Such scrutiny could reshape how major streaming deals are structured.

The probe highlights tensions between streaming consolidation and creative industry dynamics. If regulators find Netflix's practices harm competition, it could force changes to the proposed merger or impose conditions on Netflix's future content acquisition strategies. This marks one of the most significant antitrust examinations of streaming industry power.