Netflix Snaps Up Warner Bros, Paramount Pleads With Lawmakers

Netflix has surged ahead in the battle to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, leaving Paramount in the dust and sparking a wave of concern across the film industry. With the streaming giant now poised to take the reins, the fallout has been swift—filmmakers, studios, and other key players are rallying to block the deal, warning it could spell the end for the traditional cinema experience.

Industry Pushback and Paramount’s Setback

Word is, a group of film producers and executives—possibly including Paramount, Netflix’s main rival in the bidding—have fired off a letter to US lawmakers, urging them to step in. Their argument? If Netflix gets its hands on Warner Bros Discovery, the industry as we know it could be on the chopping block. The letter, sent under the banner of ‘concerned feature film producers’, claims the move would devastate the cinema sector.

Paramount, for its part, was reportedly ready to fork out a whopping $71 billion to secure the deal. But with Netflix clinching the win, Paramount’s ambitions have been dashed. The main worry among these industry figures is that Netflix’s takeover will gut the standard cinema release model. According to insiders, Warner Bros’ future blockbusters could see their time in cinemas slashed to just a fortnight before heading straight to streaming, thanks to the combined platform with HBO Max. Given Warner Bros’ clout in the business, the letter argues this could do lasting damage to cinemas everywhere.

Paramount’s Plans and the Online Backlash

Paramount had big ideas for Warner Bros Discovery, promising the company a fair bit of independence and a commitment to putting at least 14 films in cinemas each year. There were also whispers about scrapping the current DC Universe, partly due to disagreements with James Gunn’s political leanings. With talk of Donald Trump’s interest in the deal, some online reckon Paramount might have used the company for political messaging. Despite the risks Netflix poses to cinemas, plenty of punters online seem to prefer them over the alternatives.

My bros at Paramount are shitting liquid right now 💀💀

Others have questioned why there’s so much fuss over Netflix, when previous takeovers—like Amazon buying MGM or Disney snapping up Lucasfilm and Marvel—didn’t get the same reaction. The general public, it seems, isn’t as fussed as the industry insiders.

Streaming’s Role in Changing Cinema

While Netflix’s approach to film releases has many in the industry worried, it’s not the only player shifting the landscape. The rise of streaming services across the board has made it tougher for cinemas to compete. Netflix has said it listens to what viewers want, and that’s often convenience—something streaming delivers in spades. With the cost of living biting and fewer people keen to splash out on a night at the flicks, streaming platforms offer a massive library of content at home.

It’s not just Netflix, either. HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, and others all make their new releases available online not long after they hit the big screen. With so many options, it’s no wonder fewer people are heading out to the cinema. The whole streaming game is putting the squeeze on traditional film releases, and this latest deal is just the latest twist in the tale.