听证会上，参议员 Amy Klobuchar 犀利质询：在 2025 年 1 月刚刚涨价且用户数仍增长的背景下，Netflix 如何保证合并后还能维持"亲民价格"？ Sarandos 回避了直接承诺，转而强调"价值论"。他表示，历次涨价都伴随着服务价值的显著提升。为了证明公司受市场制约，他抛出了"一键取消"理 论："我们提供极其便捷的退订机制。如果消费者觉得价格虚高、不物有所值，点击一下就能取消订阅。" 面对紧追不舍的定价权质询，Sarandos 坚称合并不会带来"集中度风险"，并透露 Netflix 正在与美国司法部（DOJ）积极合作，双方正在探讨建立潜在的"保 障措施"（Guardrails），通过监管手段防止新实体利用市场支配地位进行不合理涨价。 IT之家 2 月 4 日消息，科技媒体 Ars Technica 今天（2 月 4 日）发布博文，报道称在美国参议院司法委员会下属反垄断小组听证会上，Netflix 联席 CEO Ted Sarandos 极力为收购华纳兄弟探索（WBD）的交易辩护。 针对参议员关于"扼杀竞争将导致订阅费疯涨"的担忧，Sarandos 反其道而行之，辩称此次合并不仅不会推高价格 ...

Core Insights - Hardware remains the cornerstone of the consumer technology ecosystem in the Middle East and Africa, with smartphones and personal computers being essential for connectivity, streaming, gaming, and transactions [1] - Revenue from hardware is projected to grow from $32.9 billion in 2020 to approximately $41.9 billion by 2027, while media and entertainment spending is expected to nearly double from $18 billion to $36 billion during the same period [1] - The trend of bundling services with devices is becoming increasingly significant, particularly in affluent markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where manufacturers are repositioning devices as experience platforms driven by services [3][6] Hardware and Services Growth - The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) exceeds $20, creating opportunities for service bundling and raising user expectations [1] - By Q2 2025, the Middle East and Africa will account for only 14% of global telecom operators' partnerships with OTT providers, despite a predominance of mobile users [1] - The MENA region's online video market is expected to grow over fivefold by 2029, reaching $8.4 billion, highlighting the need for a shift from subsidy-driven models to sustainable subscription systems [9][15] Ecosystem Collaboration - Telecom operators and retailers play a crucial role as enablers in the ecosystem, using multi-layered service bundles to prevent ARPU decline and reduce churn [8] - Bundled packages, such as those combining Netflix, Anghami Plus, and iCloud storage with flagship devices, provide significant profit margins in high ARPU markets [8] - Retailers are transitioning from hardware sellers to integral parts of the service ecosystem, collaborating with streaming or software providers to enhance value at sales touchpoints [12] User Experience and Market Dynamics - The focus of marketing is shifting from specifications to user experience, exemplified by collaborations like Samsung's foldable phones bundled with streaming services [11] - The competitive landscape in the Middle East and Africa is intense, with many bundles starting as subsidized offers, which can lead to a perception of services as non-essential if not properly converted into sustainable subscriptions [9][15] - The collaboration between manufacturers, telecom operators, and service providers is essential for expanding market scale and achieving long-term value [10][15]