Hollywood producers have approached Congress over the Netflix–Warner Bros. deal.

Prominent leaders within the film industry have voiced significant concerns regarding the potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix.

A coalition of influential producers has addressed an open letter to the U.S. Congress, cautioning about the risk of an economic and institutional crisis unfolding in Hollywood. These producers, referring to themselves as “concerned feature-film producers,” have opted to remain anonymous, fearing possible retaliation from Netflix, which they describe as a dominant force in the content distribution landscape.

Main Issues Highlighted by the Producers

The letter outlines three critical worries:

1. Threat to the theatrical release window:
The producers are apprehensive that Netflix may significantly reduce or completely remove the exclusive theatrical release period for Warner Bros. films before they become available on Netflix and HBO Max. Present reports suggest this window could be compressed to as little as two weeks.

2. Risk of market “strangulation”:
They warn that Netflix might amass enough market influence to “effectively tighten a noose” around the theatrical sector, potentially limiting the number of Warner Bros. movies shown in cinemas and cutting downstream licensing revenues following theatrical runs.

3. Uneven competitive landscape:
The letter emphasizes that other bidders, like Comcast and Paramount, possess well-established theatrical distribution infrastructures. Paramount has notably committed to maintaining Warner Bros. as an independent studio, releasing no fewer than 14 films annually in theaters—a clear contrast to Netflix’s focus on streaming-first releases.

Industry Implications

This appeal from the producers intensifies the ongoing discourse about the deal, highlighting Hollywood’s concerns regarding the future of traditional cinema amid the rise of streaming platforms. Industry insiders caution that inadequate oversight of such consolidation could destabilize the financial viability of movie theaters, limit studios’ creative autonomy, reduce audience viewing options, and hasten the transition to an entirely digital viewing experience.