In one of Ted Sarandos’ statements on Friday about his streamer’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, the Netflix co-CEO proclaimed that the $82.7 billion deal would be “pro-worker.”
Some of Hollywood’s most powerful unions would beg to differ. In statements that streamed steadily into reporters’ inboxes after the news broke on Thursday night, labor organizations representing directors, writers and producers expressed deep concerns about the transaction, arguing that it could quash competition and harm Hollywood’s creatives.
The most severe in its criticism was the Writers Guild of America, which said in a statement that “this merger must be blocked.”
The labor group’s East and West Coast branches added, “The world’s largest streaming company swallowing one of its biggest competitors is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent. The outcome would eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen conditions for all entertainment workers, raise prices for consumers, and reduce the volume and diversity of content for all viewers.”
WGA West board member Mike Schur, who many know as the co-creator of Parks and Recreation, weighed in on the social platform Bluesky. “All media mergers end up hurting writers, actors, directors, and everyone else who works in the industry,” he said. He added, “Fewer companies means fewer jobs, period.”
The Directors Guild of America was the first to respond to the news, on Thursday night stating that the arrangement raises “significant concerns.” The union, representing more than 19,500 members of the directing team on sets, added, “We believe that a vibrant, competitive industry — one that fosters creativity and encourages genuine competition for talent — is essential to safeguarding the careers and creative rights of directors and their teams.”
The union said that it would be meeting with Netflix to air its worries and “better understand” what the streamer plans to do with the 102-year-old studio.
While not a union, the trade organization the Producers Guild of America also got in the mix on Friday, saying producers were “rightfully concerned” about Warner Bros. Discovery changing hands.
The organization stated, “Our industry, together with policymakers, must find a way forward that protects producers’ livelihoods and promotes creativity and opportunities for workers and artists, choice for consumers, and freedom of speech. This is the test that potential mergers or sales of our legacy studios must pass.”
More to come.