Creative guilds denounce Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery

By Nash Villena, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
December 7, 2025

LOS ANGELES, California — Esteemed creative guilds have issued statements on Friday opposing Netflix’s major deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

In a joint statement posted by the Writers Guild of America East and West, they described Netflix’s conquest to gain one of its biggest competitors as “what antitrust laws were designed to prevent.”

Among other points, the two guilds noted that the move would result in massive layoffs, exacerbate poor conditions for entertainment workers, and reduce the volume and diversity of content for media consumers.

“Industry workers, along with the public, are already impacted by only a few powerful companies maintaining tight control over what consumers can watch on television, on streaming, and in theaters. This merger must be blocked,” the writers’ guilds said.

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) emphasized that a competitive industry is crucial for creatives to thrive with their rights assured. The guild is expected to meet with Netflix to outline its concerns.

“We believe that a vibrant, competitive industry — one that fosters creativity and encourages genuine competition for talent — is essential to safeguarding the careers and creative rights of directors and their teams,” the DGA affirmed.

Meanwhile, the Producers Guild of America (PGA) said Netflix’s deal was untimely, and it must instead help foster genuine change in the industry where workers’ rights and creativity flourish.

“As we navigate dynamic times of economic and technological change, our industry, together with policymakers, must find a way forward that protects producers’ livelihoods and real theatrical distribution, and that fosters creativity, promotes opportunities for workers and artists, empowers consumers with choices, and upholds freedom of speech,” said PGA.

“Our legacy studios are more than content libraries – within their vaults are the character and culture of our nation,” it added.

Netflix, the world’s largest streaming company, recently announced to the press that it agreed to acquire Warner Bros., including its studios (HBO and HBO Max), for approximately $82.7 billion.