Warner Bros. Discovery sale (Universal? Paramount? Netflix?)

[Jill Sandwich 11,164]

I'm waiting for its movies to air on proper TV.

[Edmilson 12,373]

This will effectively kill cinemas. Which, of course, was Netflix's goal since the beginning.

[Jill Sandwich 11,164]

That means no more DCP files.

[Edmilson 12,373]

When Disney bought Fox, it reduced its output to just a few movies per year, mostly of the blockbuster kind. 

 

Now Netflix will basically remove all of Warner's movies from theaters.

 

What theaters will be left with? Paramount, Universal, a few indie studios, the failing Disney blockbusters and Amazon/MGM, who still releases stuff theatrically out of sheer pity (but for how long?).

 

It won't be enough. Not by a long shot. Theater chains small, medium and big will crumble and fall. Soon, only streaming will be left for any type of movie.

[Chen G. 6,138]

8 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

When Disney bought Fox, it reduced its output to just a few movies per year, mostly of the blockbuster kind. 

 

 

That's a little different. Warners is the biggest film distributor after Disney. It will surely act as Netflix' "theatrical arm."

 

And, again, that's assuming it proves regulatorily viable. Where's the resident lawyer when you need him?!

[Mr. Who 1,118]

This is disgraceful news. Besides some great shows that Netflix have produced, their output has been so bad. It’s disgraceful that HBO and Warner will likely end up like this. Apple buying HBO would at least have been something.

[Chen G. 6,138]

https://deadline.com/2025/12/netflix-warner-bros-discovery-deal-eu-hurdles-1236637245/

 

Okay, I'm getting...worried.

[enderdrag64 1,813]

Wow this is horrible!

WB's archives still won't be open to soundtrack labels

I don't really care about theatrical releases, but it's likely those will end at some point even if not immediately

No more WB films on bluray? 

Not to mention the sure to rise streaming costs after Netflix and HBO Max merge
 

The icing on the cake will be if they keep Zaslav around...

[Nick1Ø66 8,328]

 

 

[Edmilson 12,373]

Use the next year to go to the movies as much as you can. Watch every kind of movie, big, small, indies, on a small theater or on a big IMAX screen. It'll be the last time you'll be able to do so.

 

Ten years from now, I doubt there will be cinemas left, aside from a few in cities like NY and LA hosting big premieres or restored classics, for a select group. For most people, the only way to watch movies will be by streaming. No more theaters, no more physical media.

 

If they suddenly decide to delete The Wizard of Oz or Lord of the Rings or whatever from their servers to save a few bucks and use the server space for Stranger Things spin-offs, they will do so and no one will be able to complain.

 

New movies and shows? Will be done algorithmically for people who just like to keep the TV on while they scroll through their phones on social media. 

 

The future looks dire.

[bollemanneke 4,331]

So when will the sandbox open to LLL now?

[Nick1Ø66 8,328]

This definitely raises regulatory concerns.

 

How might Netflix alter WB's traditional theatrical distribution model?
Owning Warner Bros. gives Netflix unprecedented control over multiple iconic IP libraries. What about licensing access for rival platforms and whether Netflix could lock competitors out of key franchises? It's definitely going to impact consumer choice and competition.

 

Under normal circumstances, I'd say the Netlix is going to have to do some serious divestment for this to have a chance at regulatory approval. But given the current government in the United States, I'm not so sure. Hopefully Europe will come to the rescue.

[Andy 7,720]

Everyone here cares.

But I don't think cinema or films mean a whole lot to the YouTube generation.  Theaters are inconveniently structured to those who've been programmed for short videos curated by algorithms to their own likes and attention spans.

[Edmilson 12,373]

17 minutes ago, bollemanneke said:

So when will the sandbox open to LLL now?

Under Netflix? Now WB expansions won't happen at all. The new executives, who all come from the tech world and are accustomed to cutting costs, will shut down major departments, and those who dealt with the labels will be a major casualty.

 

12 minutes ago, Andy said:

But I don't think cinema or films mean a whole lot to the YouTube generation.  Theaters are inconveniently structured to those who've been programmed for short videos curated by algorithms to their own likes and attention spans.

On the one hand, movies like Five Nights at Freddy's and Minecraft (the latter of which caused a stir among younger people earlier this year) give me hope that youngsters haven't given up on the theatrical experience completely.

 

On the other, tech companies are working hard, day and night, without pause, to make the world dumber, stupider and more addicted to their products.

 

Is brain rot real? Researchers warn of emerging risks tied to short-form video

[Andy 7,720]

Good point. But if we are evolving cinema towards more meme inspired films like the ones you mentioned, I'm good saying movies had a good run, and society grew out of them.  If the theaters are filled with only dreck like that, it's as good as dead.  I'll stick with my physical media collection for my remaining years and be the old man talking about the good old days.

 

I do have hope that international film industries will somehow rise to challenge Hollywood, like Italy in the latter 20th Century. If there is international box office money to be made, hopefully filmmakers around the world can seize the opportunity to innovate new ideas instead of rehashes of garbage, while Hollyweird continues to wilt and self sabotage.

[Jill Sandwich 11,164]

We'll always have Tubi.

[Bellosh 4,531]

i think the most important part of all this is that Netflix fucking sucks

 

1% of the stuff they release is good.

 

also i just HATE how Netflix made movies look, visually.

 

it's legit the only streaming service that i will endlessly scroll on to try to find something interesting, and odds are i'll just watch an older movie that isn't made by Netflix

[Jurassic Shark 16,428]

We'll always have European cinema. 

[Chen G. 6,138]

6 minutes ago, Bellosh said:

i think the most important part of all this is that Netflix fucking sucks

 

That's actually not the most important thing. I assume Warners will remain it's own company: everything I read indicates they intend to keep Michael de Luca and Pamela Abdy in charge, which makes sense given the reputation they've cultivated over the last year. So Netflix' reputation doesn't necessarily reflect upon Warners.

 

The real issue is with theatrical release windows. a Netflix movie that sees theatrical release is in theatres for a month and then pops-up in Netflix. That's BAD.

[Bellosh 4,531]

second most important thing then!

[Jill Sandwich 11,164]

5 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

We'll always have European cinema. 

 

If only they'd learned to speak English!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,378]

6 hours ago, Bilbo said:

Well the president of the US is pals with the head of Paramount isn’t he? 
 

But it shouldn’t happen anyway. Netflix is the number 1 streaming company and HBOMax is number 3. That shouldn’t be allowed to happen. 

 

Its capitalisms end game. One entity owning everything.

[Edmilson 12,373]

47 minutes ago, Chen G. said:

The real issue is with theatrical release windows. a Netflix movie that sees theatrical release is in theatres for a month and then pops-up in Netflix. That's BAD.

Yep. For now, they're saying they'll keep the theatrical releases, but in a shorter window so that they can appear on Netflix as soon as possible.

 

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/netflix-warner-bros-movies-theaters-buying-studio-1236601073/

 

Jerks.

[Rachael Foley 10,162]

1 hour ago, Andy said:

Good point. But if we are evolving cinema towards more game inspired films like the ones you mentioned,

Fixed.

[Edmilson 12,373]

16 minutes ago, The Score Cleaner said:

Fixed.

You forgot to fix one part.

 

2 hours ago, Andy said:

But if we are devolving cinema towards more game inspired films like the ones you mentioned,

Now it's fixed.

[Slitherjump 154]

Wait I’m a little lost, is the merger happening or not? I thought Netflix won Warner 

 

[Chen G. 6,138]

They only entered "definitive" negotiations. And at any rate nothing is really moving forward until Warners completes the process of splitting its linear TV branch, which is not expected to happen before Q3 2026.

 

And ontop of that, there's the regulations which will surely scrutinize this deal.

 

Go Ellison! https://nypost.com/2025/12/04/media/paramount-skydances-david-ellison-meets-with-trump-officials-as-netflix-makes-highest-bid-for-wbd-sources/

[Edmilson 12,373]

Help us, Paramount Kenobi. You're our only hope.

 

 

[Xander Harris 9,666]

How does a steaming company buy a major film studio? This country is a disaster.

[Jill Sandwich 11,164]

And you can only watch their movies and shows on the web. They never seem to air on proper TV or show up at the video shop.

[Xander Harris 9,666]

We’re still not as bad as the Eurozone but this is a country in decline.

[Jill Sandwich 11,164]

The enshittification of everything we grew up with. When's Three Eye Atlas coming to wipe us all out and end our misery?

[Brando 2,796]

[Mr. Hooper 8,932]

2 hours ago, Edmilson said:

Help us, Paramount Kenobi. You're our only hope.

 

 

 

This thread is depressing and entertaining at the same time.

[Jill Sandwich 11,164]

https://variety.com/2025/biz/news/netflix-warner-bros-deal-anti-monopoly-nightmare-warren-1236601206/

 

[NewBlueEyes 237]

Petition · Stop Netflix from buying Warner Bros - United States · Change.org

[bollemanneke 4,331]

7 hours ago, Xander Harris said:

We’re still not as bad as the Eurozone but this is a country in decline.

Um...

[Andy 7,720]

Netflix sent me a ballsy customer email saying it’s as good as done.  The mail AI summary jumps to the conclusion that it is indeed final. 

 

 

Quote

We recently announced that Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO. This unites our leading entertainment service with Warner Bros.’ iconic stories, bringing some of the world’s most beloved franchises like Harry Potter, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Casablanca, Game of Thronesand the DC Universe together with Stranger Things, Wednesday, Squid Game, Bridgerton and KPop Demon Hunters.

What’s changing?

Nothing is changing today. Both streaming services will continue to operate separately. We have more steps to complete before the deal is closed, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. You’ll hear from us when we have more to share. In the meantime, we hope you’ll continue to enjoy watching as much as you want, whenever you want - all on your current membership plan.

We know you might have questions. Check out our Help Center for more information or contact us at any time.

Thank you for choosing Netflix. We’re committed to bringing you more great TV shows, movies, games and live programming.

The Netflix team

 

[Stark 1,023]

I never realized Paramount had so much money that they were even in the conversation to acquire another major studio

[Jill Sandwich 11,164]

I think they just borrow it.

[Stark 1,023]

BRB asking the bank to lend me 85 billion dollars

[Edmilson 12,373]

At least, Star Wars fans will be able to see the original restored Star Wars movies in theaters before the theatrical experience dies a miserable death.

 

[Marian Schedenig 11,693]

2 hours ago, Andy said:

Netflix sent me a ballsy customer email saying it’s as good as done.  The mail AI summary jumps to the conclusion that it is indeed final.

 

LLMs always jump to conclusions.

[Maurizio 6,913]

This is far from a done deal. I expect lots of bumps and hollows on the road to closing (if this will ever close). So many things may happen. We’re certainly living in interesting times!

[NewBlueEyes 237]

The Directors Guild are already going to have a meeting with Netflix.

[Maurizio 6,913]

I don’t think the Guilds can do much. This will be a political battleground that will be decided by regulatory commissions, the Justice Department and the Congress as well.

[Chen G. 6,138]

I think the guild is more about asking Netflix very nicely to not chop-up theatrical windows for Warner-produced movies...

[Edmilson 12,373]

10 minutes ago, Chen G. said:

I think the guild is more about asking Netflix very nicely to not chop-up theatrical windows for Warner-produced movies...

To which their answer will be:

 

[Mr. Hooper 8,932]

3 hours ago, Andy said:

Netflix sent me a ballsy customer email saying it’s as good as done.  The mail AI summary jumps to the conclusion that it is indeed final. 

"Pending regulatory approvals" = "not done by a country mile"

 

Let's hope the antitrust laws are enforced and that the machinery of government isn't oiled by kickbacks in this case...

 

Netflix: "Nothing is changing today."

 

Ominous.

 

 

 

 

[Jill Sandwich 11,164]

Anyone else get annoyed by people who have a movie on but they're just scrolling their phones while it's on? I'd been thinking this for years that modern movies and shows are designed to feature so much dead air time to encourage phone use.