Today, over one thousand TV and film professionals, including actors, directors, producers, writers, and others working in the industry, shared an open letter in opposition to the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
The letter is centered around the issues with further consolidating the film and TV industry. Reducing competition, the letter says, will inevitably lead to higher costs for consumers. It will also lead to fewer shows and films being made, leaving many without jobs.
The merger is the result of Paramount fighting Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, beginning in November 2025 when Netflix, Paramount, and Comcast all submitted nonbinding offers for all or part of the company. Netflix ultimately made a deal with WBD in December, but Paramount pushed WBD to reconsider, submitting a revised all-cash offer of $31 per share (compared to Netflix’s offer valued at $27.75 per share) for the entire company. In the end, Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to move forward with Paramount.
“We are deeply concerned by indications of support for this merger that prioritize the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders over the broader public good,” the letter says. “The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised.”
The letter, which you can read in full here, will remain open for anyone across the industry to sign. The group behind the letter is also encouraging the public to spread the message and oppose the merger through the #BlocktheMerger petition.
“This merger, if approved, would reduce competition, eliminate jobs, and increase costs for American consumers as they grapple with an affordability crisis,” said Matt Platkin, former New Jersey attorney general and founding partner of Platkin LLP. “Perhaps more alarmingly, it raises serious concerns about the rule of law and corruption in our government’s regulatory processes. I am proud to stand with the many brave signatories to this letter and am grateful for the state Attorneys General and their offices as they closely scrutinize this horrible deal.”
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders are set to vote on the merger at a meeting later this month.