Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has said that subscribers can cancel their service if the company's merger with HBO Max becomes too expensive. In a Senate hearing, Sarandos claimed that the acquisition would not lead to higher prices, but rather provide more content for less.
The proposed deal, worth $72 billion, would make Netflix the largest subscription video-on-demand provider in the US, with an estimated 301 million subscribers. However, Sarandos acknowledged that the company's prices have risen in recent years and emphasized that subscribers can easily cancel their service if they're not satisfied.
"We are a one-click cancel, so if the consumer says, 'That's too much for what I'm getting,' they can cancel with one click," Sarandos said. "We will give consumers more content for less."
Sarandos also downplayed concerns about Netflix becoming a monopoly in the streaming industry, pointing out that Google, Apple, and Amazon are also big players in the business. He argued that YouTube has a larger share of TV viewership than any other SVOD service.
The merger, which would give Netflix access to HBO Max's vast library of content, is expected to be completed soon. However, Paramount, Netflix's main competitor, is seeking a hostile takeover and has sued Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO Max, over the deal.
Sarandos said that he believes the merger will create more value for consumers, as it would allow Netflix to offer more content without increasing prices. The CEO also emphasized that the company's history is about adding more and more content and choice, rather than creating a monopoly.
The proposed deal, worth $72 billion, would make Netflix the largest subscription video-on-demand provider in the US, with an estimated 301 million subscribers. However, Sarandos acknowledged that the company's prices have risen in recent years and emphasized that subscribers can easily cancel their service if they're not satisfied.
"We are a one-click cancel, so if the consumer says, 'That's too much for what I'm getting,' they can cancel with one click," Sarandos said. "We will give consumers more content for less."
Sarandos also downplayed concerns about Netflix becoming a monopoly in the streaming industry, pointing out that Google, Apple, and Amazon are also big players in the business. He argued that YouTube has a larger share of TV viewership than any other SVOD service.
The merger, which would give Netflix access to HBO Max's vast library of content, is expected to be completed soon. However, Paramount, Netflix's main competitor, is seeking a hostile takeover and has sued Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO Max, over the deal.
Sarandos said that he believes the merger will create more value for consumers, as it would allow Netflix to offer more content without increasing prices. The CEO also emphasized that the company's history is about adding more and more content and choice, rather than creating a monopoly.
I'm not sure how comforting it is to know we can cancel our subs with one click if things get too pricey... still, sounds like they're trying to keep costs down? 
And Sarandos' comparison to Google, Apple, and Amazon is on point - there's a big playing field here. The fact that YouTube has more TV viewers is pretty wild, though... it shows how quickly streaming habits are shifting.
. Like, can't we just get some decent 4K content on Netflix already? 
Anyway, I think Ted Sarandos is trying to spin this merger as a win for consumers, but let's be real, who doesn't want cheaper prices? 
It's not like they're gonna give us more free stuff or anything... 
A $72 billion merger just seems like too big for its britches, you know? Like, what even is the logic behind that? And Sarandos saying we're gonna give consumers more content for less is pretty suspicious to me. It's all well and good until they start charging more under the guise of "new features". I'm not hating on Netflix or anything, but this just feels like another step towards them becoming too powerful... 
. Like, if people are really not happy with their service, they can literally hit the cancel button and be done with it. That does seem pretty consumer-friendly on paper. And I guess having YouTube as a bigger player in TV viewership is a good point too... 
. It's like they're all playing some sort of giant game of streaming chess over here... 
. I'd love to see some in-depth analysis of the pricing strategy they're planning to implement.
just saw that Paramount is suing Warner Bros. Discovery over the deal... this whole thing is getting super messy 
not sure how much of a good thing the merger is supposed to be 
and what's up with Ted Sarandos' "we're a one-click cancel" strategy? sounds like a cop-out to me 
so if we're not feeling the service anymore, we can just hit pause and be done. i'm still a bit skeptical about this whole merger thing though... what do u guys think?! 
so yeah, Ted Sarandos is saying that if you're not happy with Netflix, just click that cancel button 
... it's like he's saying that freedom to choose is what matters most. we all have that power in life, whether it's switching jobs or ending a toxic relationship... sometimes the hardest part is knowing when to let go 
. and I think this merger thing is just another example of how companies try to create more options for us consumers 
]
]
]
]
but for real tho, $72 billion is CRAZY rich! anywayz if they do end up mergin & the prices go up i'm def cancelin my subs ASAP 
can't believe sarandos thinks we're all just gonna be fine with more content & less cash tho