Viral Netflix Logo Video on Warner Bros. Water Tower is Digitally Fabricated
Introduction
A video circulating widely on social media in early December 2025 claimed to show the iconic Warner Bros. water tower in Burbank, California, emblazoned with the Netflix logo, suggesting a bold and immediate rebranding following Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The clip went viral across platforms including Instagram[1], TikTok[2], X[3], Threads,[4] YouTube[5], and Facebook[6], drawing millions of views and engagement from audiences intrigued by the purported corporate milestone. The claim, however, is false. A thorough investigation by CyberPoe confirms that the footage is digitally manipulated and does not depict any real-world alteration to the Warner Bros. property.
Origin and Circulation of the Video
The video first appeared on social media on December 6, 2025, shortly after the public announcement of Netflix’s acquisition deal. It was shared with captions suggesting that Netflix had immediately painted its iconic “N” on the water tower, framing it as a dramatic corporate statement. Users engaged heavily with the content, often commenting on the perceived audacity and immediacy of the rebranding, without realizing that the clip was not a depiction of reality. The video quickly spread across multiple social media channels, capitalizing on heightened public interest in the merger between two of the world’s largest media entities.
Verification and Source Identification
CyberPoe’s investigative team conducted a reverse image and video search to trace the origins of the viral clip. The footage was linked to Dontae Carter, a filmmaker, animator, and visual effects artist based in Las Vegas. Carter publicly acknowledged creating the video using Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere, digitally overlaying the Netflix logo on the Warner Bros. water tower. In correspondence with authorities, Carter explicitly stated that the video was a visual effects creation intended as part of his professional portfolio, not a real-world event. The first public uploads of the clip appeared on Carter’s Instagram and TikTok accounts on December 6, 2025, aligning with the timeline of the acquisition announcement but unrelated to actual changes on the tower.
Official Statements and Real-World Confirmation
Both Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix released official statements clarifying that the water tower remained unaltered. A Warner Bros. spokesperson confirmed that the tower continued to display the original “WB” logo, and Netflix similarly confirmed that no physical rebranding had taken place. Field verification conducted by AFP, including photographs taken between December 5 and December 9, 2025, corroborated these statements, showing the water tower in its authentic state with no signs of repainting or alterations. Additional verification from independent sources, including local journalists and Spanish magazine Avisos Contigo, confirmed that all images and videos captured in real time depicted the tower exactly as it had appeared prior to the viral clip’s circulation.
Technical Analysis of the Viral Video
A detailed frame-by-frame analysis of the video revealed multiple indicators of digital manipulation. The Netflix “N” failed to cast natural shadows consistent with the curvature and lighting of the water tower. Its perspective remained unnaturally consistent across camera movements, highlighting the use of a digital overlay rather than any physical repainting. The visual style, alignment, and motion of the logo closely match Dontae Carter’s publicly showcased VFX work, further confirming that the clip was intentionally crafted as a digital simulation rather than documentation of an actual event.
Impact and Implications of the Misrepresentation
The viral video demonstrates how visually compelling but fabricated content can quickly propagate on social media, especially when tied to high-profile corporate events. By exploiting public interest in the Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros., the clip attracted widespread attention and engagement, misleading viewers into believing a real-world rebranding had occurred. Such digital fabrications have the potential to distort perceptions, fuel unnecessary speculation, and spread misinformation on a global scale. The case underscores the need for audiences to verify visual content against authentic sources, especially when content appears sensational or aligns with current events.
Conclusion
CyberPoe confirms that the viral video showing the Netflix logo painted on the Warner Bros. water tower is a digitally altered creation with no basis in reality. The water tower continues to display the original “WB” logo, and no physical modification has occurred. The clip, while technically impressive as a visual effects exercise, represents a classic example of misinformation amplified through social media channels. Users are urged to approach viral content critically, especially when it exploits widely publicized events, and to rely on verified sources for confirmation of visual claims.
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