Netflix CEO Responds To Merger Outrage, Saying 'They Can Cancel With One Click'
When it was announced that a deal had been reached for Netflix to acquire much of Warner Bros., there was a lot of interest in what movie franchises and TV shows they'd be buying. Over time, however, a lot more attention has been paid to the concerning aspects of the deal. When asked about one of those worrisome factors, Netflix's boss recently argued that users could just cancel their subscriptions if unhappy.
Ted Sarandos' Senate Defense: The 'One-Click Cancel' Assurance
On February 3, 2026, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos testified before the Senate about concerns about the planned Warner Bros. merger. While being questioned by Senator Amy Klobuchar, he was asked about one of the aspects of the major media deal that has worried many observers: price increases.
When asked if the Warner Bros. merger would inspire Netflix subscription fees to skyrocket, Sarandos pointed to the remaining streaming service competitors as a reason to believe that wouldn't happen. However, the Netflix boss also made a pretty shocking argument for why the Senate shouldn't stand in the way of the merger over cost concerns. Sarandos explained that if prices rise too high, users can simply cancel thanks to Netflix's easy process.
"I think we can only raise the price if the consumer sees the value. We are a one-click cancel. So, if at any point the consumer says 'That's too much for what I'm getting,' they could just, with one click of the button, cancel Netflix."
While Sarandos was arguing that Netflix pursuing extreme price increases won't be possible because users can easily cancel the service, his comment still feels striking. After all, since the company regularly gets attention for canceling shows, it seems odd for the boss to highlight how easy it is for users to cancel the service.
The Netflix and Warner Bros. Merger Has Garnered Fears and Outrage, Including About Price Rises
From the moment that observers learned about the proposed Netflix and Warner Bros. merger plans, there has been a lot of very public worry. In many cases, those concerns have focused on the theater experience disappearing, a lack of variety in projects, and algorithm-driven creative choices. Additionally, there have been fears about potential price hikes for months now, as the following posts from X show.
The implications of a potential Netflix takeover of Warner:
— Kalshi Culture (@Kalshi_Culture) December 5, 2025
???? Subscription price hike (a Netflix + HBO/Warner "Super-Tier").
???? Max could be fully integrated into Netflix and shut down.
???? Netflix would own everything: HBO (GOT, Succession, TLOU), DC, Harry Potter, Lord of the… pic.twitter.com/gIJ1XtVhvS
On December 5, 2025, @Kalshi_Culture posted about the possible implications of the merger and mentioned a potential price hike first. "The implications of a potential Netflix takeover of Warner: ???? Subscription price hike (a Netflix + HBO/Warner "Super-Tier"). ???? Max could be fully integrated into Netflix and shut down. ???? Netflix would own everything: HBO (GOT, Succession, TLOU), DC, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings. ???? These IPs would vanish from rival platforms once contracts expire. ???? Long-term, the theatrical window would likely shrink (currently 15 months), hurting cinemas and diversity.
Roughly a month later, on January 23, 2026, @FuhrmanJer73987 posted about the merger, stating that everyone should expect to pay more as a result. "Well, it's not the 2000 AOL-Time Warner merger - a disaster by anyone's measure - but analysts are not bubbly about the Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. Expect a subscription price increase. Swell."
On January 30, 2026, the user @Justin_L_Smith_ expressed his belief that if Netflix costs more following the merger, users will be outraged. "The Math doesn't Math. If Netflix gets 3 competitors & they raise their prices by $10, that 25% won't mind. They are likely still saving money. The 50-75% will be REAL MAD at that price hike. BTW, price hikes caused a 200% increase in Piracy. And Warner Bros is ALL debt."
Sadly, it seems like a lot of people assume that Netflix will be more expensive very soon, based on those posts and many others that make similar arguments. There is nothing fun about that prospect. But, at least the hearing had a humorous moment when viewers realized that someone in the background came dressed up as Mr. Monopoly.
Mr. Monopoly making his presence known at the Netflix - Warner Bros merger hearing. pic.twitter.com/x9tcLQ1eF1
— jwafford (@jeff_wafford) February 3, 2026