Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos dropped a bold statement during a U.S. Senate hearing this week that’s got the internet buzzing.
When pressed about potential price hikes following the company’s proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, including HBO Max, his response was surprisingly blunt: if you don’t like it, just cancel.
“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 told Senator Amy Klobuchar during Tuesday’s hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Antitrust.
The comment came as lawmakers grilled the Netflix executive about how the streaming giant plans to keep subscriptions affordable after absorbing HBO Max, Warner Bros. studios, and their massive content libraries.
The hearing focused on examining whether Netflix’s acquisition would create a monopoly in the streaming market. Netflix currently leads with 301.63 million subscribers as of January 2025, while Warner Bros. Discovery sits in third place with 128 million users across HBO Max and Discovery+. Combined, that’s a lot of eyeballs on one platform.
The merger that’s shaking up streaming
Netflix announced the Warner Bros. Discovery deal back in December 2025, promising to unite two entertainment powerhouses under one roof.
The acquisition would bring iconic franchises like Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Harry Potter, Friends, and the entire DC Universe to Netflix’s already massive catalog, which includes hits like Wednesday, Bridgerton, and Stranger Things.
Sarandos argued that Netflix and HBO Max are “complementary” services, pointing out that 80% of HBO Max subscribers already have Netflix accounts.
His pitch? The merger would give consumers more content without forcing them to juggle multiple subscriptions. But lawmakers aren’t entirely convinced, especially considering Netflix just raised prices in January 2025, with the standard ad-free plan now sitting at $17.99 per month.
Social media isn’t having it
The “just cancel” comment didn’t exactly land well online. Reddit users were quick to roast the suggestion, with many pointing out they’re already considering dropping Netflix due to rising costs. “Planning on it,” wrote one user. “Was just casually saying last night ‘we should cancel Netflix, we don’t use it that much and it’s way too expensive.'”
Others noted the irony of streaming services potentially reviving piracy after nearly defeating it. “These companies had all but beaten piracy for a minute, against all odds really, and now they seem hellbent on bringing it back,” commented another user.
What’s particularly interesting is that the one-click cancellation feature Sarandos bragged about wasn’t Netflix’s idea, it was mandated by the Biden administration’s Federal Trade Commission in 2024, forcing companies to make canceling as easy as subscribing.
What this means for your wallet
Sarandos insists the merger won’t lead to dangerous market concentration and claims Netflix is working with the U.S. Department of Justice on safeguards against excessive price increases.
He also tried to frame value differently, noting that Netflix subscribers spend about 35 cents per hour of content watched, compared to 90 cents for Paramount+.
Whether that math makes subscribers feel better about potentially paying more remains to be seen. For now, HBO Max’s future as a separate platform is uncertain, with industry experts predicting it’ll likely be absorbed into Netflix entirely.
The merger still needs regulatory approval, and with Paramount Skydance also trying to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery with a competing $108.4 billion offer, this streaming war is far from over.
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