The Writers Guild of America has raised concerns about a potential merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance, labeling it a “disaster,” while President Trump has expressed his support for the plan.
On Thursday, the Writers Guild released a statement voicing its worries regarding the proposed merger.
“Repeated mergers in the media sector harm workers, dampen competition and free speech, and squander vast sums that could be better allocated for growth. The merger of Warner Bros. with Paramount and other large studios and streaming services would be catastrophic for writers, consumers, and fair competition,” the guild’s statement indicated. “WGAW and WGAE are committed to collaborating with regulators to block this merger.”
Paramount Skydance has been actively seeking to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, having made three offers thus far, including one that was valued at $60 billion. In response, Warner Bros. announced its plans to start exploring “strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value.”
The Writers Guild has targeted Warner Bros. Discovery for several years, accusing it of failing to uphold promises, engaging in anti-competitive behavior, and canceling billions in film and television projects in an effort to cut costs.
Despite this, reports suggest that the president has a favorable view of the merger.
Administration officials indicate that Trump sees the ownership of Warner Bros. Discovery as significant. “The board at Warner needs to consider not just financial competition but also which companies can successfully close deals,” a senior official mentioned.
Paramount Skydance appears to be the sole viable option for acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, with other contenders being Netflix, Amazon, and Comcast.
