The $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with many experts warning that it could fundamentally reshape the media landscape in ways that are detrimental to consumers and creators alike.
While the deal may be a boon for Netflix shareholders, who stand to reap massive profits from the acquisition, it poses significant risks for anyone else involved. The last thing Hollywood needs right now is another consolidation of power by a single entity, given the industry's still-reeling recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing effects of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
The deal would result in a combined Netflix and Warner Bros., with control of nearly half of the streaming market. This could lead to higher prices for consumers, fewer choices over what and how they watch content, and potentially put American workers at risk.
Writers, directors, and producers are already bracing themselves for the worst, with many already having refused to work with Netflix entirely or expressing concerns about the deal's impact on diversity and fresh voices in the industry. The likes of Christopher Nolan have even gone so far as to say that fewer choices in entertainment always means more losers.
As for physical media, it's likely one of the first things a combined Netflix/WB would drop, given the slowing demand for physical releases. However, there's also been a resurgence of premium physical releases from distributors like Arrow Video, which may suggest that Netflix may want to keep physical media around for special releases.
Cinema United, a trade group representing over 30,000 movie theater screens in the US, has already spoken out against the deal, warning that it poses an unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business. The organization's president and CEO, Michael O'Leary, stated that regulators must look closely at the specifics of the proposed transaction and understand the negative impact it will have on consumers, exhibition, and the entertainment industry.
The acquisition raises serious questions about the future of theaters and the role they play in modern entertainment. Netflix has already been accused of prioritizing streaming over theatrical releases, with some of its films having notoriously short windows between their release in theaters and their subsequent streaming debut. The company's co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, famously called the theatrical model "outdated," suggesting that it no longer serves a purpose in today's viewing habits.
All told, the Netflix and Warner Bros. deal is a worrying development for anyone who loves film and television as an art form. As one screenwriter put it, "The end goal of these consolidations is to limit choices in entertainment to a select handful of providers, so they can capture our whole attention, and thus our every available dollar."
While the deal may be a boon for Netflix shareholders, who stand to reap massive profits from the acquisition, it poses significant risks for anyone else involved. The last thing Hollywood needs right now is another consolidation of power by a single entity, given the industry's still-reeling recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing effects of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
The deal would result in a combined Netflix and Warner Bros., with control of nearly half of the streaming market. This could lead to higher prices for consumers, fewer choices over what and how they watch content, and potentially put American workers at risk.
Writers, directors, and producers are already bracing themselves for the worst, with many already having refused to work with Netflix entirely or expressing concerns about the deal's impact on diversity and fresh voices in the industry. The likes of Christopher Nolan have even gone so far as to say that fewer choices in entertainment always means more losers.
As for physical media, it's likely one of the first things a combined Netflix/WB would drop, given the slowing demand for physical releases. However, there's also been a resurgence of premium physical releases from distributors like Arrow Video, which may suggest that Netflix may want to keep physical media around for special releases.
Cinema United, a trade group representing over 30,000 movie theater screens in the US, has already spoken out against the deal, warning that it poses an unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business. The organization's president and CEO, Michael O'Leary, stated that regulators must look closely at the specifics of the proposed transaction and understand the negative impact it will have on consumers, exhibition, and the entertainment industry.
The acquisition raises serious questions about the future of theaters and the role they play in modern entertainment. Netflix has already been accused of prioritizing streaming over theatrical releases, with some of its films having notoriously short windows between their release in theaters and their subsequent streaming debut. The company's co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, famously called the theatrical model "outdated," suggesting that it no longer serves a purpose in today's viewing habits.
All told, the Netflix and Warner Bros. deal is a worrying development for anyone who loves film and television as an art form. As one screenwriter put it, "The end goal of these consolidations is to limit choices in entertainment to a select handful of providers, so they can capture our whole attention, and thus our every available dollar."
This deal is gonna be a disaster for indie creators 
. With Warner Bros. under Netflix's control, it's only gonna get harder for new voices to break through the noise. I mean, who needs diversity when you can just churn out more of the same old stuff? 
And don't even get me started on prices - if we're lucky enough to still have a choice in what we watch, expect it to go up like crazy soon enough 
. The thought of fewer physical media options is also a total bummer for collectors and enthusiasts... I mean, who needs special releases from Arrow Video when everything's just gonna be streaming anyway? 
my mind is blown that netflix just acquired warner bros for like 82 billion 
doesn't anyone care about the future of physical media? like i know there's a resurgence happening but come on netflix would drop that in an instant when they merge with warner bros 
. The thought of just two giant companies controlling half the streaming market sounds like it could stifle creativity and diversity. I mean, what happens when you only have a few options for what to watch? It's already happening with the rise of streaming services, but now we're talking about one of the biggest players in entertainment getting even more power.
. What's next? A single company owning all the movie theaters too?! 
It's like they're trying to strangle the creativity out of the entertainment industry 
. I'm already worried about how much Netflix is going to jack up its prices now that it owns Warner Bros. And what about all those writers, directors, and producers who are already freaking out about the deal?! 
. Is Netflix just going to drop it all because streaming is where it's at? Or will there be some sort of compromise?! 
. Can't we just have some diversity and choice in our lives?! 
. I mean, with control of half the streaming market, it's like one person calling all the shots 
. Anyone else feeling me? 
. but on the other hand, it does seem like another example of how the big players are gonna crush the little guys and limit our choices as consumers 
. and yeah, cinema united's warning about the deal being a threat to theaters is super legit 
. I mean, think about it - we're talking about a massive conglomerate like Netflix getting even more power over what we watch and when we watch it. It's gonna be a nightmare for creators who are already struggling to make ends meet. And what about all the fresh voices and diverse perspectives that are already being lost in this industry? It's not just about the content itself, but also the value of having multiple options and the ability to support different types of productions.
that's just depressing. i get that profit is important but at what cost, man? we need more diversity & fresh voices in the industry, not less 
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. I'm all for competition in the entertainment industry, but this seems like a huge power grab by one company 
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. We need to think about what this means for the little guys – writers, directors, producers who can't compete with these behemoths.
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