Ex-WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar Believes Netflix-WB Deal Would Decrease Competition In Hollywood

The announcement that Netflix is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery has sent shockwaves through the global entertainment sector. Jason Kilar, former CEO of WarnerMedia, is among the first high-profile executives to publicly voice his concerns about the proposed transaction, making it clear that he sees major downsides.

In a post on X, Kilar wrote: If I was tasked with doing so, I could not think of a more effective way to reduce competition in Hollywood than selling WBD to Netflix. Responding to someone who disagreed with his assessment, he clarified: When I use the phrase competition in Hollywood, I am referring to having a sufficient number of vibrant and robust entities that can and will aggressively compete against each other to produce and distribute films, series, live events and more for decades to come. I am not focused on the legacy of it all.

Kilar, who served as WarnerMedia CEO from 2020 to 2022, previously led Hulu and held an executive role at Amazon. During his tenure at WarnerMedia, he managed assets including CNN, Warner Bros., and HBO, and oversaw the launch of HBO Max. He also implemented the controversial Project Popcorn strategy, releasing Warner Bros. 2021 films on HBO Max simultaneously with their theatrical releases. Although the approach drew criticism from many creatives, HBO and Max finished 2021 with a combined 73 million global subscribers.

Despite having disrupted the traditional theatrical model himself, Kilar remains skeptical about Netflix taking over Warner Bros., citing concerns about the impact on long-term industry competition.

Industry observers are still processing the potential Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with legal and strategic complexities expected to emerge in the coming months.

Author: Sophia Brooks