Directors Guild Raises ‘Significant Concerns’ About Netflix’s Bid for WBD

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The Directors Guild of America (DGA), led by president Christopher Nolan – a strong supporter of movie theaters who has publicly criticized streaming services – announced it will meet with Netflix. This comes after Netflix began exclusive negotiations to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

The guild expressed serious worries that the agreement could negatively impact directors and other creative professionals.

DGA Plans Meeting With Netflix

Now that Netflix has reportedly won the competition to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery assets and is finalizing a deal, the Directors Guild of America has expressed concerns that the merger could significantly change the entertainment industry, potentially impacting both competition and the rights of creators.

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) believes a healthy entertainment industry relies on competition for skilled workers and having several major companies vying for content. They’re concerned the deal between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery would give one company too much control over streaming and studio productions. The DGA is requesting a meeting with Netflix to discuss their plans and voice these concerns, especially given rumors that Netflix may shorten theatrical releases to just two weeks before moving content exclusively to streaming.

The guild added that it will not comment further until that meeting takes place.

Via Deadline:

A strong and competitive industry is vital for protecting the jobs and artistic rights of directors and their crews. We’re meeting with Netflix to discuss our concerns and learn more about their plans for the future. We won’t be making any further public statements while we explore these issues.

Unions Begin Responding to the Deal

The Directors Guild of America is the first Hollywood union to officially respond to Netflix’s recent actions, but others are expected to follow. The Writers Guild of America, both its East and West branches, had already stated they would fight any merger that limits competition, warning back in October that a deal between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount would negatively impact writers and viewers.

Now that Netflix has shown interest, other unions are likely to voice their opinions as the potential acquisition progresses to a final stage of negotiation.

The Bid That Shook the Industry

The auction for the content rights was quick and unpredictable on Thursday. While Paramount tried hard to compete, Netflix reportedly offered between $28 and $30 per share – primarily in cash – and secured the exclusive opportunity to finalize the deal.

As a film buff, I’ve been following the Warner Bros. Discovery situation closely. Apparently, they put themselves up for sale back in October, turning down three offers from Paramount. From what I understand, they were hoping to have some kind of deal in place by mid-to-late December, but we’ll see what happens!

Netflix starting exclusive negotiations is a big step, but concerns raised by unions create another hurdle for a deal that was already likely to face tough scrutiny from regulators.

Paramount is said to be fighting back, possibly through a hostile takeover.

Our insiders also went over that Hollywood is preparing for war and backing Trump to stop the deal.

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2025-12-05 11:03