James Cameron is weighing in on the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. In a newly reported letter to Mike Lee, the filmmaker warned the deal could reshape the theatrical film business. He described the potential impact on cinemas and the broader production ecosystem as significant.
New report says James Cameron has again criticized Netflix-WBD deal in letter to lawmaker
According to CNBC, James Cameron has sent a letter to Mike Lee criticizing Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming assets.
“I believe strongly that the proposed sale of Warner Brothers Discovery to Netflix will be disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business that I have dedicated my life’s work to,” Cameron wrote. “Of course, my films all play in the downstream video markets as well, but my first love is the cinema.”
Lee chairs the Senate subcommittee on antitrust, competitive policy, and consumer rights. He said, “We have received outreach from actors, directors, and other interested parties about the proposed Netflix and Warner Brothers merger, and I share many of their concerns.”
He added, “I look forward to holding a follow-up hearing to further address these issues.” The letter followed a Feb. 3 hearing at which Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and WBD executive Bruce Campbell testified.
“The business model of Netflix is directly at odds with the theatrical film production and exhibition business, which employs hundreds of thousands of Americans,” Cameron wrote. “It is therefore directly at odds with the business model of the Warner Brothers movie division, one of the few remaining major movie studios.”
He added that the merger would “remove consumer choice by reducing the number of feature motion pictures that are made.” He said it would also “restrict the choices of film-makers looking for studios to invest in their projects, which will in turn reduce jobs.”
In written testimony, Netflix said, “With this deal, we’re going to increase, not reduce, production investments going forward, supported by a stronger combined business and balance sheet.” The company added, “We are not acquiring these amazing assets to shut them down, but to build them up.”
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.net.
