Hollywood Sounds Alarm as Industry Leaders Urge Congress to Block Netflix’s Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

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I’ve been hearing some concerning things from people in the industry. Apparently, a group of top film producers have been privately contacting Congress, worried about what a Netflix takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery could mean for Hollywood. They’re saying it could seriously damage both the creative side and the financial health of the whole industry if the deal actually happens.

The filmmakers described themselves as ‘concerned producers’ and decided to remain anonymous.

The group chose to remain anonymous, worried that Netflix, a major player in buying and distributing content, might react negatively. Variety confirmed, through a reliable insider, that the group consists of several well-known filmmakers. Neither Netflix nor Warner Bros. Discovery offered a statement on the matter.

Variety reports that Netflix warned Congress that acquiring Warner Bros. could hurt movie theaters. The main concern is how long movies will stay in theaters before being available to stream.

Sources told Variety that Netflix was aiming to shorten the time Warner Bros. films are shown exclusively in theaters to about two weeks before they become available on both Netflix and HBO Max. However, someone involved in the discussions disputed this, saying the theatrical window would be longer. Other potential buyers, like Comcast and Paramount, also have established movie theater businesses. Paramount has indicated it would keep Warner Bros. as a separate company and continue releasing at least 14 films in cinemas annually.

Movie producers expressed concern that Netflix could severely harm movie theaters. They worried that Netflix might shorten the time movies are shown in theaters and reduce the profits studios make from selling the rights to show them later. This concern was fueled by statements from Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who has consistently stated that showing movies in theaters isn’t a priority for the company. For instance, he said during a 2023 earnings call that getting people to go to theaters simply isn’t their focus.

The letter concludes by asking legislators to publicly oppose the potential agreement and demand a thorough antitrust investigation. The authors argue that this deal could threaten millions of jobs and a significant aspect of American culture.

Around the same time, CNBC also reported that Paramount Skydance had expressed worries about how Warner Bros. Discovery was handling the sale.

According to a letter seen by CNBC, Paramount’s legal team has expressed concerns to Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) CEO David Zaslav that the sale process doesn’t appear to be fair and seems to be rigged in favor of one potential buyer. The law firm Quinn Emanuel wrote that it’s becoming clear WBD has moved away from a legitimate, unbiased process and is instead focused on a predetermined outcome benefiting a single bidder. They specifically asked that this letter be shared with and discussed by the entire WBD board of directors.

Okay, so the buzz is that Warner Bros. Discovery is seriously considering Netflix’s offer for a deal. From what I’m hearing – and CNBC reported this – Netflix is mostly offering cash, and right now, they seem to be in the driver’s seat. Paramount and Comcast are still in the running, having submitted second bids, but Netflix is looking like the frontrunner at this point.

The strong reactions from movie creators, studios, and rival companies highlight the anxiety and instability in the industry, as many fear the extent of changes a Netflix acquisition might cause.

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2025-12-05 10:45