"Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic senator, called it an anti-monopoly nightmare in a statement released soon after the announcement. A Netflix-Warner Bros would create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market threatening to force Americans into higher subscription prices and fewer choices over what and how they watch, while putting American workers at risk, she said."
"Her views were also shared by Pramila Jayapal, co-chair of the House Monopoly Busters Caucus. It would mean more price hikes, ads and cookie cutter content, less creative control for artists, and lower pay for workers, she said. The media industry is already controlled by a few corporations with too much power to censor free speech. The government must step in."
"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."
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros in an $83bn deal that would bring franchises including Harry Potter, The White Lotus, Superman and Game of Thrones into Netflix's library. Political figures and industry groups expressed strong opposition, arguing the merger would create a near-monopoly controlling close to half the streaming market, leading to higher subscription prices, more ads, reduced creative control, lower wages, job losses, and less diverse content. Senators and caucus leaders called for government intervention under antitrust laws. The Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America raised significant concerns and demanded the deal be stopped.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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