Republican attorneys general from 11 U.S. states have urged the Department of Justice to conduct a thorough review of Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery assets, warning the deal threatens American dominance in the movie industry. The coalition led by Nebraska and Montana argues the merger would create undue market concentration, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced innovation for consumers.

This regulatory pressure comes as Netflix faces mounting challenges in its $31 per share bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming assets. The deal has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum, with some Republicans citing concerns about content decisions while others focus on antitrust implications. Paramount's competing bid adds another layer of complexity to the negotiations.

The states argue that Netflix controlling Warner Bros.' vast content library and absorbing HBO Max would diminish competition among subscription video platforms. Industry groups representing movie theaters have also opposed the deal, concerned it would reduce theatrical releases. While Netflix maintains the acquisition would benefit consumers and workers, the company faces an increasingly difficult path through Washington's regulatory landscape.