WGA, 12 State AGs Challenge Paramount-WBD Merger Over 4,000-Job Fox Precedent
Updated
Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Aug 24
WGA, 12 State AGs Challenge Paramount-WBD Merger Over 4,000-Job Fox Precedent
3 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Aug 24
Summary
The Writers Guild of America and 12 state attorneys general are challenging the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, arguing it would further concentrate Hollywood buying power.
The case centers on fewer buyers for scripts and shows: the combined company would become the largest U.S. buyer of original film and TV programming, reducing writers’ leverage, overall deals and creative competition.
Mike Schur said he joined the WGA lawsuit with a declaration drawn from more than 25 years in the industry, arguing consolidation already narrowed cross-studio sales and left artists with take-it-or-leave-it terms.
Disney’s 2019 Fox acquisition is being used as the warning sign: wide-release film output was cut in half and more than 4,000 Fox employees lost their jobs.
Los Angeles County estimates the new merger could cost thousands of jobs, a risk critics say could further damage an already weakened Hollywood production economy.