According to recent reporting, Netflix seriously considered acquiring "Electronic Arts" and other major entertainment and media companies before ultimately deciding on acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery instead. Let me tell you guys, this was not a casual rumor, executives at Netflix reportedly debated whether the company should place bids for EA, as well as for other large potential targets like 20th "Century Fox" (Fox) and even "The Walt Disney Company". However, the Netflix leadership team ultimately decided not to proceed with a bid for EA company. The main reason for this decision is that, they feared that pursuing such major acquisitions could damage their standing with investors especially given EA's valuation and the uncertain returns from buying such a large gaming company.
In the end, Netflix steered toward the deal with Warner Bros. Discovery in December 2025 and the deal was a massive $82.7 billion cash-and-stock agreement giving Netflix control over Warner Bros.' film and TV studios, streaming platform, and game studios. I have already created a depth article about it: (Netflix Buys Warner Bros.). So, while no acquisition of EA took place, but the consideration was still real.
Why Netflix was interested in EA?
One of the main reasons for this is that Netflix has increasingly signaled interest in gaming sector as a growth area beyond streaming. Owning EA which is currently one of the world's biggest video-game publishers would instantly give Netflix a massive game portfolio, established development studios, and major gaming IPs as well. By acquiring such a big gaming company, Netflix could diversify its entertainment business model beyond just movies and TV shows. This would make Netflix less vulnerable to fluctuations in streaming subscriptions and more resilient in long-term challenges in future.
EA owns high-value franchises and well-known game brands. For Netflix, adding these brand titles could mean not only games but also potential cross-platform storytelling like merging TV/movies and gaming, or even using gaming IP to build new multimedia franchises. Netflix would also prevent other big media or tech competitors from doing the same thing, ensuring Netflix holds a more unique and powerful position in both the Entertainment and in Gaming Industries. Based on these reported reasons, it makes sense for us of why Netflix’s leadership at least considered an EA acquisition.
What it all Means?
The report that Netflix considered buying EA before ultimately going after Warner Bros. is credible and grounded in real business speculation at the highest level, though nothing ever came of the idea. The moment Netflix seriously weighed acquiring one of the world's largest gaming companies just shows how aggressively it's trying to expand its brand not just in Entertainment, but in Gaming Industry as well. By seeing all this, we also learn that the streaming platforms are no longer just about movies and TV shows the future may involve games, interactive content, and multimedia franchises under unified ownership. Anyway, what do you think about Netflix's recent decisions and their activities? What do you think might happen when a large streaming company like Netflix starts to acquire Gaming companies? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments.