Hollywood Workers Strongly Oppose Warner Bros.-Netflix Deal: “This Merger Must Be Stopped”

On Friday, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos described his companys planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, valued at $82.7 billion, as a move that would benefit workers. However, major Hollywood labor unions strongly disagreed.

Following Thursday nights announcement, unions representing directors, writers, and producers quickly voiced serious concerns. They warned that the merger could stifle competition and negatively affect creative professionals in the entertainment industry.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) issued the strongest criticism, stating, "this merger must be blocked." Both its East and West Coast branches emphasized that a mega streaming company absorbing a key competitor is precisely what antitrust regulations are meant to prevent. The union argued that the deal could result in job losses, lower wages, deteriorating working conditions, higher consumer costs, and a decline in both the quantity and diversity of available content.

WGA West board member Mike Schur, co-creator of Parks and Recreation, also commented on social media, highlighting that media mergers typically harm writers, actors, directors, and other industry workers. He added, "Fewer companies means fewer jobs, period."

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) responded on Thursday night, describing the merger as raising "significant concerns." Representing more than 19,500 directors and their teams, the union stressed that a competitive and creative industry is essential to protecting careers and creative rights. The DGA also noted it plans to meet with Netflix to discuss its apprehensions and gain clarity on the companys intentions for the 102-year-old studio.

The Producers Guild of America (PGA), though not a union, joined the conversation on Friday. The organization highlighted producers apprehension about Warner Bros. Discovery changing ownership. It called for solutions that safeguard producers livelihoods, nurture creativity, provide opportunities for artists, ensure consumer choice, and uphold freedom of expression. The PGA stated that these criteria should guide any major studio mergers or sales.

Author: Grace Ellison