The Directors Guild of America – whose president happens to be Christopher Nolan, a BIG advocate of theatrical releases, and who also openly defied the streamer – has stepped into the Warner Bros. Discovery bidding story, saying it plans to meet with Netflix after the streamer entered exclusive talks to buy the company.
The guild says the deal raises “significant concerns” for directors and the wider creative workforce.
DGA Plans Meeting With Netflix
After reports confirmed Netflix won the WBD bidding war and is now negotiating a final agreement, the DGA released a statement warning the potential merger could reshape the industry in ways that affect competition and creative rights.
The guild said it believes the industry depends on real competition for talent and on keeping multiple strong buyers in the marketplace. Because the Netflix–WBD deal would concentrate streaming and studio power inside one company, the DGA wants a direct meeting to understand Netflix’s plans and outline its concerns. There’s already rumors Netflix would reduce theatrical released to only two weeks and then go straight to streaming.
The guild added that it will not comment further until that meeting takes place.
Via Deadline:
“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. We will be meeting with Netflix to outline our concerns and better understand their vision for the future of the company. While we undertake this due diligence we will not be commenting further.”
Unions Begin Responding to the Deal
The DGA is the first Hollywood union to formally react to Netflix’s move, but it won’t be alone. The Writers Guild of America East and West previously warned they would oppose any merger that reduces competition, noting in October that a WBD–Paramount deal would have harmed writers and consumers.
With Netflix stepping forward, more unions are expected to speak out as the acquisition moves into exclusive talks.
The Bid That Shook the Industry
Thursday’s bidding was volatile and fast-moving. Paramount pushed aggressively to counter Netflix, but reports say Netflix offered around $28 to $30 a share, mostly in cash, winning the right to negotiate exclusively.
WBD placed itself on the market in October after rejecting three bids from Paramount. The company has been aiming to reach a preliminary agreement by mid-to-late December.
Netflix securing exclusive talks is a major development, but the reaction from labor groups adds another obstacle to a deal already expected to face serious regulatory challenges.
Paramount is said to be fighting back, possibly through a hostile takeover.
Our insiders also went over that Hollywood is preparing for war and backing Trump to stop the deal.
