Hollywood Labor Unions Sound Alarm on Netflix-Warner Bros. Takeover Deal
The major Hollywood labor unions have sounded the alarm over Netflix's proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. film and television studios, HBO Max, and HBO, warning that the deal will lead to job losses, lower wages, and reduced content diversity if approved.
According to the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which represents 12,000 writers across film and TV, the potential sale "must be blocked" by lawmakers. The union issued a joint statement on Instagram and other channels stating that the merger would eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen conditions for all entertainment workers, and reduce prices for consumers.
The WGA's statement notes that antitrust laws were designed to prevent such consolidation, which could lead to reduced competition in the industry. "This is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent," the statement reads. "The outcome would be devastating for writers, and it 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."
SAG-AFTRA, representing 160,000 members including actors, journalists, singers, and dancers, also issued a statement expressing concerns over the deal's impact on the future of the entertainment industry. The union stated that while the merger may benefit shareholders, it would raise serious questions about its effect on human creative talent.
The Directors Guild of America (DGA), which represents 19,500 members across film, TV, and other media, sounded an alarm on December 4, when news first broke that Netflix had emerged victorious in a bidding war with Paramount to buy Warner Bros. The DGA issued a statement expressing concerns over the deal's impact on the industry.
"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," the statement reads.
While negotiations with Netflix are underway, the unions have made it clear that they will not be commenting further until their concerns are addressed. The potential deal has sparked widespread concern among industry workers and consumers, who fear that reduced competition would lead to fewer job opportunities, lower wages, and less diverse content.
Warner Bros. Discovery had opened the formal process of putting itself up for sale in October, receiving three offers from Paramount Skydance Media, which is now owned by the Ellison family. The unions had previously expressed concerns over any potential merger with Paramount, stating that further media consolidation would be a disaster for writers, consumers, and competition.
As the deal moves forward, industry workers and consumer groups will be watching closely to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed.
The major Hollywood labor unions have sounded the alarm over Netflix's proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. film and television studios, HBO Max, and HBO, warning that the deal will lead to job losses, lower wages, and reduced content diversity if approved.
According to the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which represents 12,000 writers across film and TV, the potential sale "must be blocked" by lawmakers. The union issued a joint statement on Instagram and other channels stating that the merger would eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen conditions for all entertainment workers, and reduce prices for consumers.
The WGA's statement notes that antitrust laws were designed to prevent such consolidation, which could lead to reduced competition in the industry. "This is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent," the statement reads. "The outcome would be devastating for writers, and it 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."
SAG-AFTRA, representing 160,000 members including actors, journalists, singers, and dancers, also issued a statement expressing concerns over the deal's impact on the future of the entertainment industry. The union stated that while the merger may benefit shareholders, it would raise serious questions about its effect on human creative talent.
The Directors Guild of America (DGA), which represents 19,500 members across film, TV, and other media, sounded an alarm on December 4, when news first broke that Netflix had emerged victorious in a bidding war with Paramount to buy Warner Bros. The DGA issued a statement expressing concerns over the deal's impact on the industry.
"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," the statement reads.
While negotiations with Netflix are underway, the unions have made it clear that they will not be commenting further until their concerns are addressed. The potential deal has sparked widespread concern among industry workers and consumers, who fear that reduced competition would lead to fewer job opportunities, lower wages, and less diverse content.
Warner Bros. Discovery had opened the formal process of putting itself up for sale in October, receiving three offers from Paramount Skydance Media, which is now owned by the Ellison family. The unions had previously expressed concerns over any potential merger with Paramount, stating that further media consolidation would be a disaster for writers, consumers, and competition.
As the deal moves forward, industry workers and consumer groups will be watching closely to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed.
Oh man, this is like the ultimate example of how not to merge companies - I mean, who needs competition when you can just squish all the writers, actors, and directors into a tiny little box? 
82 billion bucks for Netflix, huh? That's like buying an entire city and then using it as a giant writing room 
. The unions are right, though - if this deal goes through, we'll probably end up with fewer jobs, lower wages, and less diverse content. Yay, boring! 
Can't wait to see what Netflix comes up with next... probably a bunch of shows about robots or vampires 
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. If it goes through, I bet we'll see a ton of writers, actors, and directors losing their jobs 
. And honestly, who wants to watch the same old content over and over? Less diversity = less exciting TV shows and movies for us consumers 
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. But what about the people who actually create this stuff? They deserve better 
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. We can't let corporate greed come at the expense of our creative industries 
. This is a big deal, folks, and we should be paying attention 
!
just thinking about this takeover deal is giving me major anxiety... all these jobs at risk, lower wages too 
what's the point of having a "vibrant" industry if people aren't getting paid a decent wage 
This is crazy... like what's happening in Hollywood right now? Netflix wanting to take over Warner Bros. and all its assets, it's huge! The unions are totally on high alert here, warning of job losses and lower wages for the talented people behind the scenes. Interesting that they're saying this merger will reduce content diversity too... it's like, we need more diverse voices telling stories, not less 
. how many more iconic characters and stories will we see because of corporate greed? i'm literally shaking thinking about what could happen if this deal goes through 
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... like, how can one company just take over everything? It's already a huge player in the industry, and now it wants to control even more? I'm not sure if this merger will be good for anyone except shareholders 
I'm keeping an eye on this situation, hoping that the unions can make Netflix listen to their concerns 
and can we talk about how much it hurts that we're gonna lose jobs and wages? 
! I mean, 82 billion bucks is a ton of money, but at what cost? 
. I love watching my favorite shows on Netflix, but if the prices go up and the selection decreases, I'll be the first to cancel my subscription 
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think about all the talented people who make our fave shows & movies what's gonna happen to them if the prices get pushed down & jobs get lost? it's not just about the writers but also the directors, actors, and everyone else involved 
We need more competition, not less. And what about creators' rights? Will we see more original content or will it all be watered down for the masses? 
i feel bad for the writers & directors who might lose jobs or have lower wages... it's like, can't they just make a profit without hurting so many people? 
also, what about consumers? won't we see less diverse content if there's only one big player in town 
they're worried about job loss and lower wages for writers and actors it makes sense though Netflix is already a huge player so much power in one hand can't be good
just saw those stats from the Writers Guild of America and I'm like WOW!!! 
12,000 writers affected by this deal? That's crazy talk! 
Did you know that the top 5 studios account for 80% of all film production in the US? 
What do you think about this deal going forward? Should we be worried about job losses and lower wages? 
. like, don't get me wrong, i love a good drama as much as the next person but can't they just find ways to support the artists instead of trying to buy them out?