Restroom Tampon Incident Helps Derail Netflix-Warner Bros. Merger

A months-long bid for Warner Bros. Discovery faltered amid antitrust concerns and GOP opposition to Netflix’s potential monopoly and political influence. A visit by a congressional delegation to Netflix HQ coincided with reports of a tampon basket in the men’s room, dubbed the “Tampon Incident,” which critics cited as symbolic of Netflix’s alleged progressive tilt. With Paramount-backed Skydance raising its offer to about $80.5 billion, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos decided not to engage in a costly bidding war and canceled the nearly completed $73 billion purchase, a setback framed by critics as a political blow to Netflix even as executives argued the company faces competition rather than a political agenda.