Netflix news: WGA believes Warner Bros. merger ‘must be blocked’
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is one of several bodies in direct opposition to Netflix’s proposed deal to purchase Warner Bros.
An $82 billion deal between Netflix and Warner Bros. is feared to impact jobs, monopolise the market and raise prices for consumers.
The WGA writes about this, and more, reports Film News Blitz’s Dan Lawrence.
What has the WGA said about the Netflix/Warner Bros. merger?
In a statement shared by Variety, the WGA said, “The world’s largest streaming company swallowing one of its biggest competitors is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent.
“The outcome would eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen conditions for all entertainment workers, raise prices for consumers, and reduce the volume and diversity of content for all viewers.
“Industry workers along with the public are already impacted by only a few powerful companies maintaining tight control over what consumers can watch on television, on streaming, and in theatres. This merger must be blocked.”
Ahead of Netflix winning the race to purchase Warner Bros, Paramount thought it was in pole position to acquire the entire Discover/Warner conglomerate.
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The WGA opposed this deal as well, much like it had done for previous mergers between Disney and 20th Century Fox, and Comcast-NBCUniversal, all of which went ahead.
The WGA wrote that Warner Bros. merging “with Paramount or another major studio or streamer would be a disaster for writers, for consumers and for competition.”
This opposition to the Netflix/Warner merger isn’t anomalous by any stretch.
The Directors Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA are also incredibly wary of the impact that Netflix is about to make across the film and television industry.
If antitrust laws don’t impede Netflix and Warner Bros.’ plans, the deal is expected to conclude by Q3 2026.
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