Hollywood unions and theater owners have strongly opposed Netflix’s proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, announced on December 5, 2025. The deal would give Netflix control over major film and television assets, including HBO and HBO Max, raising significant concerns about market consolidation.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has voiced its disapproval, arguing that the merger could lead to job losses, reduced wages, and less diverse content. The WGA Eastern and Western chapters issued a statement asserting, “This merger must be blocked,” citing potential antitrust violations.
SAG-AFTRA, representing actors and entertainment professionals, expressed similar concerns, emphasizing that any merger should enhance industry production while respecting the creators’ contributions. Cinema United, a trade group representing thousands of movie screens, deemed the merger an “unprecedented threat,” questioning Netflix’s commitment to theatrical releases.
The Hollywood Teamsters, representing behind-the-scenes workers, have also called for government opposition, stressing that the deal could jeopardize quality union jobs and industry longevity. Meanwhile, Netflix claims the merger could generate $2 billion to $3 billion in annual cost savings by the third year post-completion and has promised to uphold theatrical releases for Warner Bros. films.
The proposed acquisition is currently undergoing antitrust reviews in the United States and Europe, with lawmakers on both sides expressing skepticism about the concentration of power in the streaming sector. As the review continues, the entertainment industry is closely watching the potential impact of this landmark deal, highlighting growing apprehensions over industry consolidation.
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