WGA Calls for Netflix–Warner Bros. Deal to Be Stopped Over Harmful Impact

Several major Hollywood groups are pushing back hard against Netflix’s plan to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming operations.

The deal, valued at more than $80 billion, has triggered alarms across unions and industry organizations, according to statements released after the negotiations became public.

The Writers Guild of America was one of the first to respond. The union said this type of merger would hurt everyone working in entertainment and also affect viewers. In its statement, the WGA said an acquisition of this size would wipe out jobs, lower wages, and raise prices.

The guild said, “The world’s largest streaming company swallowing one of its biggest competitors is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent.” The group added that the deal “must be blocked.”

The WGA has opposed many major mergers over the years. The union has long argued that making big companies even bigger limits the amount of work available to writers. The guild pointed to earlier media deals that it fought against, saying the same concerns apply here.

The Teamsters also criticized the move. Lindsay Dougherty of Local 399 said the merger is driven by greed and would threaten the stability of union jobs. She said, “Greed-fueled consolidation of corporate power… is a direct threat to good union jobs, the livelihood of our members and the very existence of our industry.”

Concerns have spread beyond unions. The Producers Guild of America said many producers worry about what happens when Netflix takes control of a historic studio. The group said the industry must protect creative workers and keep real theatrical releases alive. In its statement, the PGA said, “Our legacy studios are more than content libraries — within their vaults are the character and culture of our nation.”

The Directors Guild of America also shared its reaction. The DGA said the proposed deal “raises significant concerns” and stressed that a competitive industry is important for protecting the careers of directors. The guild said it plans to meet with Netflix to discuss the issue.

SAG-AFTRA responded with caution. The union did not oppose the deal outright but said it brings up serious questions about the future of actors and other creative workers. SAG-AFTRA said it will take its time to study the agreement, adding that any deal must lead to more production, not less. A spokesperson said, “A deal that is in the interest of SAG-AFTRA members and all other workers in the entertainment industry must result in more creation and more production, not less.”

Movie theaters may also be affected. Cinema United, the main trade group for theaters, said Netflix taking control of Warner Bros. could harm cinemas everywhere. CEO Michael O’Leary called the merger an “unprecedented threat” and warned that Netflix’s business model does not support theatrical releases. He said regulators need to examine how the deal could impact moviegoers and the global exhibition industry.

Netflix, meanwhile, says it plans to keep Warner Bros. running much as it does today. The company said it will continue releasing the studio’s films in theaters. Netflix also said HBO Max will stay as its own service for now. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said he expects release schedules to change in ways that benefit audiences. He told analysts, “Over time, the windows will evolve to be much more consumer friendly.” He added that the company’s main goal is to deliver new movies to its subscribers quickly.

The deal is still being reviewed, and government regulators will decide what happens next.

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