"Some of the firmest opposition has come from the Writers Guild of America, which issued a statement declaring, "This merger must be blocked." "The world's largest streaming company swallowing one of its biggest competitors is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent," the WGA said. "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.""
"The deal came after a competitive process in which Paramount and Comcast also bids. Paramount was trying to acquire the entire company, while Netflix will only buy acquire the film and television studios, as well as the streaming business, after Warner Bros. moves forward with a plan to spin off its TV networks division. But even before the Netflix deal was announced, Paramount's lawyers sent an angry letter complaining about "a tilted and unfair process," and Netflix soon emerged publicly as the winner."
Netflix announced an $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros., buying its film and television studios and streaming business after a planned spin-off of TV networks. The acquisition prompted strong opposition from Hollywood unions, with the Writers Guild demanding the merger be blocked and warning it would eliminate jobs, depress wages, worsen worker conditions, raise consumer prices, and reduce content diversity. SAG-AFTRA raised serious questions about the deal’s industry impact. Paramount and Comcast also bid in a competitive process, with Paramount initially seen as frontrunner before Netflix emerged as the winner amid accusations of an unfair process. The deal faces significant regulatory scrutiny and targets closing in Q3 2026.
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