Netflix plans to buy Warner Bros. in a billion dollar deal.
Courtesy | Netflix
When news broke that Netflix wanted to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. studios, the film industry responded in horror. Concerned articles and explosive statements cited the dreaded consequences, fearful of ethical concerns regarding Netflix’s screenwriting regulations. The solution is to abandon streaming altogether and return to the “analog” roots of media viewership.
Though the deal has not closed due to regulatory concerns, the proposal is the purchase of the entirety of Warner Bros. film, TV and streaming assets for the sum of $82 billion, roughly $27 per share. This would also entail the purchase of HBO Max, which is currently owned by Warner Bros. Paramount attempted to rival Netflix, posing an all-cash offer of $30 per-share, roughly $108 billion total. But Warner Bros. is still favoring Netflix’s offer.
Both the Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America expressed their concerns for the future of filmmaking and film distribution from this move. They made the case that such a consolidation would mean an anti-diversification of talent and a serious loss in jobs — not to mention that it would demolish the movie theater market. Actress and activist Jane Fonda called the move “catastrophic” and urged the Department of Justice to become involved.Co-CEO of Netflix Ted Sarandos responded to criticisms earlier this month in an interview with the New York Times, saying Netflix aims to make profit on Warner Bros.’ business in movie theatres, and assured this is not an attempt to bury it entirely in favor of streaming. He also explained that if the current deal goes as intended, Netflix will ensure that films have a minimum 45-day run in theatres upon release.
Still, the grave nature of such a consolidation is concerning. The destructive nature of streaming as a form of movie-watching in itself has been a rapid and alarming process. The first consequence was with the dramatic drop in the sales of DVDs, as actor and filmmaker Matt Damon described in a 2021 episode of “Hot Ones”: “DVD was a huge part of our business, our revenue stream, and technology has just made that obsolete.” Damon argued that making more independent films without the use of streaming is virtually impossible, as filmmakers no longer have the second round of revenue that would occur with the DVD release.
Meanwhile, movie writing is decreasing in quality. A January 2025 report in N+1 magazine by Will Tavlin revealed that Netflix screenwriters are being given assignments that are required to meet the “two-screen” expectation of viewing. This means the screenwriters are to write in such a way as to account for the standard of viewers not paying full attention to the show or film, and that the viewer is most likely scrolling on a social media app at the same time. This could explain notably awkward tangents of repeated exposition in even Netflix’s most popular shows, as many viewers noted in the new season of “Stranger Things,” which ended in December of last year. Netflix has made clear their ways, and those who love film as an art have reason to be anxious. But the solution depends upon the individual.
In a culture dominated by trends, one of the most recent to appear is a return to “analog” media, including CDs, DVDs, tapes, and record players. It may sound laughable to older generations, but this is a decisive pendulum swing by the youth who reject the era of the“iPad kid.” The return to physical media is more beneficial to the attention span. Therefore, it is not surprising that individuals are prioritising viewing films in the cinema, taking the time to shut off second screens and revel in the experience of movie-going. But the movie theater situation will have to get worse before it can improve. It is an imprudent choice on the part of Warner Bros. to take the deal from Netflix, ignoring the historical importance of the studio and disregarding cultural downfall for the sake of monetary gain. Not to mention disregard on the part of Warner Bros. towards the effects to follow and the pleas of filmmakers.The solution to the streaming problem lies in the individual. Though the ramifications of this deal by Netflix are yet to be fully revealed, if movie watchers support local movie-theatres and independent filmmakers and screenwriters, the art form may continue to live on in its true state.
