Hey Merger Killers & fellow defenders of Hollywood,
First off – Happy New Year (a little late, I know!) 🎉
I took an unexpected month off from the fight (life happens, even to corporate mega-merger assassins), but I'm back and more fired up than ever. We've still got 23 signatures holding strong, and that's proof the message hasn't died – it's just been waiting for round two.
The battle is far from over in 2026. Two massive threats are still looming over Warner Bros. Discovery, and both need to be blocked:
1. Netflix's $83B power grab
Netflix wants to swallow WB studios, HBO, Max, Batman, Harry Potter, and everything in between. This isn't a "merger" – it's an attempted murder of theatrical cinema. Netflix has spent years treating movie theaters like an outdated concept, and now they'd control one of the last major studios still committed to big-screen releases. If they get WB, expect theatrical windows to shrink or vanish entirely, indie films to get starved, and your local multiplex to become another empty retail space. One company owning ~24% of global streaming + a legendary theatrical studio? That's not competition – that's a monopoly with the power to dictate what gets made, how much it costs, and where you watch it.
2. Paramount Skydance's hostile $108B bid
Don't let the "smaller" label fool you. If Paramount-Skydance takes WB, we're looking at RedBird Capital's David Ellison (son of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison) gaining massive influence over Warner Bros. studios and CNN. This isn't just business – it's a clear play to push a right-wing agenda into mainstream media and entertainment. We've already seen the playbook: turn beloved franchises into culture-war vehicles, tilt news coverage, and squeeze out creators who don't align. WB's creative legacy + CNN's journalistic role under that kind of ownership? That's a disaster for independent storytelling, balanced reporting, and the public square.
Bottom line:
Neither deal is good for consumers, creators, workers, theaters, or democracy.
- Netflix = streaming monopoly + death of the movie theater experience
- Paramount-Skydance = right-wing media consolidation + weaponization of iconic IP
Left, right, or center – we can all agree: one company shouldn't own this much power, whether it's to hike prices or push propaganda. Hollywood needs competition, diversity of voices, and a commitment to both big screens and fair journalism.
Our global petition still delivers every signature and comment straight to:
- DOJ Antitrust Chief Gail Slater
- FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson
- EU Competition VP Teresa Ribera
Let's make 2026 the year we actually kill these mega-mergers. Sign if you haven't, share with one person who loves movies/news/independence, and drop your own reason in the comments below – we'll feature the best ones next update.
We're not done. The fight continues.
Who's with me? ⚔️
- Your Average Corporate Mega-Merger Killer
Follow @TheMergerBuster on X
P.S. If you're new here: Welcome! If you're a returning signer: Thank you for sticking around. Let's finish what we started. 💪