01:29 PM EST, 02/23/2026 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with responses from Netflix ( NFLX ) and its lawyer in the fifth and sixth paragraphs.)

Netflix's ( NFLX ) proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery ( WBD ) is facing a broader-than-usual antitrust review by the US Department of Justice, Bloomberg reported over the weekend, citing a civil investigative demand and unnamed sources.

The DOJ is examining whether the merger "may substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly," Bloomberg reported, citing a civil investigative demand it reviewed.

The subpoena was sent to an independent movie studio, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

The scope of the investigation signals that the review could take many more months, giving rival bidder Paramount Skydance ( PSKY ) time to strengthen its offer, according to the report.

"Netflix ( NFLX ) operates in an extremely competitive market. Any claim that it is a monopolist, or seeking to monopolize, is unfounded," Netflix's ( NFLX ) Chief Legal Officer David Hyman told MT Newswires, adding that the company is willing to cooperate with regulators as it always has.

Netflix's ( NFLX ) lawyer, Steve Sunshine, said that Netflix ( NFLX ) has not received any notification or indication that the DOJ is investigating the company for monopolization.

Warner Bros. Discovery ( WBD ) did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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