High-profile actors including Emma Thompson and Ben Stiller have signed an open letter opposing the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery, citing concerns over reduced opportunities for creators. The letter, released Monday, argues the deal would consolidate too much power in the entertainment industry.
Paramount responded that the merger would create ‘more avenues for creative work, not fewer,’ according to a statement obtained by BBC News. The $28 billion deal, announced last month, would combine two of Hollywood’s oldest studios amid ongoing industry consolidation.
Analysts note the merger comes as streaming platforms face pressure to cut costs. ‘This reflects broader tensions between corporate consolidation and artist concerns about creative freedom,’ said media analyst James Peterson, who tracks entertainment mergers for Bernstein Research.
The opposition could delay regulatory approval, with the FTC already reviewing the deal. Similar concerns derailed the proposed AT&T-Time Warner merger in 2017 before it ultimately cleared antitrust hurdles.