Netflix-Warner Bros. Merger 'Must Be Blocked,' WGA Says

""The world's largest streaming company swallowing one of its biggest competitors is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent," the guild said in a statement. "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 theaters. This merger must be blocked.""

""Teamsters have been clear on our position that greed-fueled consolidation of corporate power, no matter what industry, is a direct threat to good union jobs, the livelihood of our members and the very existence of our industry," Lindsay Dougherty, the principal officer of Local 399, said to . "Teamsters will continue to challenge and call for the opposition across all levels of government and that antitrust enforcers reject this deal and any other deal seeking the consolidation of power and market.""

""We believe that a vibrant, competitive industry - one that fosters creativity and encourages genuine competition for talent - is essential to safeguarding the careers and creative rights of directors and their teams," a DGA spokesperson told Deadline. "We will be meeting with Netflix to outline our concerns and better understand their vision for the future of the company.""

Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. will face scrutiny from the Trump administration and engagement with Hollywood over industry impacts. The Writers Guild of America warned the merger could eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen working conditions for entertainment workers, raise consumer prices, and reduce the volume and diversity of content, and urged that the merger be blocked. The Teamsters aligned with the WGA, calling consolidation a threat to union jobs and the industry's existence and urging antitrust enforcers to reject the deal. The Directors Guild of America expressed concerns but said it will meet with Netflix to outline issues and understand the company's plans.

Read at Vulture