Hollywood unions and theatre owners have raised alarms over Netflix’s proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, warning that the deal could lead to job cuts, concentrated power, and a reduction in theatrical movie releases. If approved, the deal would bring Warner Bros’ iconic brands under the Netflix umbrella and grant control of the historic studio to the streaming giant, which has already disrupted Hollywood by shifting movie releases from theatres to home streaming.
Unions, including the Writers Guild of America, have strongly opposed the merger, citing concerns about job losses, wage cuts, and deteriorating conditions for entertainment workers. They argue that the deal would violate antitrust laws designed to prevent large companies from swallowing their competitors. With the merger poised to cut a significant portion of the domestic box office, Cinema United, which represents 30,000 movie screens, warns that Netflix’s growing dominance could harm the theatrical industry.
While Netflix promises to maintain theatrical releases for Warner Bros films and create more opportunities for creative talent, unions like the Teamsters and Cinema United have labeled the merger an “unprecedented threat” to the entertainment industry. The deal is currently under review by antitrust regulators in the U.S. and Europe, and while Netflix claims it will generate savings and boost U.S. production, the impact on job security and film distribution remains uncertain.
