Netflix’s Bid for Warner Bros. Triggers Urgent Hollywood Warning to Congress

A group of well-known movie producers has quietly reached out to lawmakers in Washington, warning that Hollywood could face serious damage if Netflix moves forward with its plan to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.

Their message was delivered in an email to members of both political parties. The group did not reveal their names, calling themselves “concerned feature film producers,” and said they stayed anonymous because they were worried about possible pushback from Netflix. Variety reported that several major filmmakers are part of the group. Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery chose not to comment.

The producers told Congress they fear Netflix could reshape how movies are released in theaters. They warned that if the deal goes through, Netflix might cut the time Warner Bros. films play in cinemas before moving them to streaming.

Variety reported that some sources claimed Netflix was considering a theatrical window of only about two weeks, though another person close to the talks said the window would be longer. Other companies competing for the purchase, including Comcast and Paramount, already have strong theatrical systems in place. Paramount has even said it would keep Warner Bros. separate and release at least 14 movies in theaters each year.

In their letter, the producers said Netflix would “effectively hold a noose around the theatrical marketplace” because of how much influence it could gain. They argued this could shrink the number of movies released in theaters and lower the money studios earn later through licensing deals. They also pointed to past comments by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who has openly said theaters are not central to Netflix’s plans. During a 2023 earnings call, he said, “Driving folks to a theater is just not our business.”

The group asked Congress to speak out against the possible acquisition and to push for strict antitrust review. They said the situation affects millions of workers and an important part of American culture.

At the same time, CNBC reported that Paramount Skydance raised its own concerns about the sale. In a letter seen by CNBC, Paramount’s lawyers told Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav that the sale process did not appear fair and seemed to favor one buyer.

The lawyers wrote, “It has become increasingly clear, through media reporting and otherwise, that WBD appears to have abandoned the semblance and reality of a fair transaction process… and embarked on a myopic process with a predetermined outcome that favors a single bidder.” They asked that the full Warner Bros. Discovery board see their letter.

According to CNBC, Netflix has put in a mostly cash offer and is currently seen as the leading bidder. Paramount and Comcast have also submitted new offers, but reports suggest Warner Bros. Discovery’s management is leaning toward Netflix.

This situation has created a wave of concern across the industry, with producers and rival studios worried about what the future of theatrical film might look like if Netflix gains control of one of Hollywood’s most historic studios.

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