Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, Demand Progress Education Fund launched the “Netflix Is A Monopoly” billboard campaign outside of Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice buildings in Washington, D.C. The campaign follows a letter sent by a coalition of advocacy organizations including Demand Progress Education Fund, Open Markets Institute, and the American Economic Liberties Project calling on the FTC and DOJ to investigate Netflix’s market power.
Netflix today plays a colossal role in the subscription video streaming market, with more than 325 million global subscribers and a 33 percent market share. The letter warns that Netflix’s behemoth status gives it gatekeeping power over content distribution, allowing the company to decide which voices are heard, which stories are told, and on what terms creators participate in the market. Its extensive content library, vertically integrated production and distribution model, and access to granular user data further entrench its monopoly power.
Netflix received a $2.8 billion breakup fee for its failed merger with Warner Bros. But instead of improving quality or delaying price hikes for consumers, Netflix spent $1.3 billion in stock buybacks in Q1 2026. And Netflix has already jacked up subscription prices twice in just over a year. Since 2020, the monthly Netflix bill for the standard package has jumped 29 percent, far outpacing inflation. The fact that Netflix can raise prices by so much without losing subscribers is evidence of its market power.
The letter calls on the FTC and DOJ to investigate whether Netflix is leveraging its position in the subscription video streaming market in ways that harm competition, creators, and consumers. Regulators must consider whether enforcement action is warranted to protect consumers and competition.
“Netflix is using its market power to bully creators and viewers alike, and its attempt to acquire Warner Bros. shows that this is going to get worse,” said Demand Progress Education Fund Executive Director Sean Vitka. “It’s time for overseers to step in and investigate.”