Logo

Netflix is denying a report that it’s interested in buying Lionsgate — the movie studio behind the “John Wick” and “Hunger Games” franchises — after it purportedly lost out on acquiring streaming giant Roku to Fox Corp.

Semafor reported Tuesday that Netflix is one of a number of media companies eyeing Lionsgate, though the Los Gatos, Calif.-based firm has not put in a formal indication of interest yet. Shares of Lionsgate jumped nearly 11% in midday trading.

But the streaming giant denied it has any such interest in a statement to The Post.

“Netflix is not interested and is not pursuing Lionsgate,” a rep said.


  Netflix boss Ted Sarandos. Getty Images for Netflix Netflix boss Ted Sarandos. Getty Images for Netflix

To date, Netflix, home to “Stranger Things,” “Bridgerton” and “The Crown,” has preferred to grow from within rather than expand through large acquisitions.

A rep for Netflix said the streamer “did not put in a formal bid for Roku.”

Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch announced Monday that the company was acquiring Roku for about $22 billion. Fox Corp. is sister company to The Post’s corporate parent News Corp.


  Lionsgate, home to the “John Wick” and “Hunger Games” movie franchises, is reportedly drawing interest from potential buyers. Getty Images for Lionsgate Studios Yonkers Lionsgate, home to the “John Wick” and “Hunger Games” movie franchises, is reportedly drawing interest from potential buyers. Getty Images for Lionsgate Studios Yonkers

Neflix, meanwhile, produces original shows and films and competes with the biggest channels available on Roku, like Disney’s streamers and Comcast’s Peacock, sources noted.


  Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch said Monday that his company will acquire Roku for $22 billion. FOX Image Collection via Getty Images Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch said Monday that his company will acquire Roku for $22 billion. FOX Image Collection via Getty Images

In the past, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has described the company’s approach to M&A as “disciplined.”


  Netflix had expressed interest in buying Roku, according to Semafor. ZUMAPRESS.com Netflix had expressed interest in buying Roku, according to Semafor. ZUMAPRESS.com

It declined to raise its $82.7 billion offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in February, losing a protracted bidding war to Paramount Skydance, which offered $110 billion.

In Netflix’s earnings call in April, Sarandos said during the pursuit of WBD, “We really built our M&A muscle.”

“We’ve learned so much about deal execution, about early integration,” he added.

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy