Netflix plans to acquire Warner Bros not to end traditional TV, but to adopt its proven practices and library of popular shows, industry experts say.
By excluding Discovery’s cable channels, Netflix signals it wants to avoid traditional broadcast infrastructure, reflecting the shift from linear TV to streaming.
The deal, including HBO, would give Netflix access to hit series like Friends, similar to Amazon’s 2022 MGM acquisition, and could allow content bundling like traditional cable packages.
Netflix has already embraced TV-style strategies, including live events, sports, an ad-supported tier, and local content.
If successful, the Warner Bros acquisition would accelerate Netflix’s use of conventional TV approaches while keeping streaming at its core, blending innovation with the legacy of network and cable storytelling.
