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

[CatastrophicJones 159]

This is gonna get messy. I wonder if any other takers are gonna throw their hats in the ring?

[crumbs 16,006]

4 hours ago, Edmilson said:

Sure, David Ellison is a jerk, has ties with Trump and is a spoiled nepo baby. But when you have to choose between one evil billionaire or the other, I'll always pick those that aren't tech bros, who are working their hardest to make life worse, getting us closer to doom and remove all that made it meaningful and worth living for all of us just to increase their already obscene fortunes.

 

I think you're seriously underestimating why these people want to buy movie studios (after buying EA) and what their true motivations are. All those concerns you have with Netflix apply to Kushner/Trump/Ellison/the Saudis. Their intentions aren't altruistic and they couldn't give a stuff about film history or preservation.

 

In the short term they want the library to compete with Netflix and Disney, but their ultimate goal is more media consolidation in the hands of the elite (where they can control the narrative, whether through movies, streaming series or video games).

 

So I'll take a few less films in cinemas and theatrical continuing to die (which will happen regardless) over that group gaining any more control of mass media. Surely you see what their endgame is here.

[Rachael Foley 10,161]

5 minutes ago, crumbs said:

 Surely you see what their endgame is?

To release Hobbit Complete Recordings and HP4?

[Jill Sandwich 11,162]

16 minutes ago, crumbs said:

 

I think you're seriously underestimating why these people want to buy movie studios (after buying EA) and what their true motivations are. All those concerns you have with Netflix apply to Kushner/Trump/Ellison/the Saudis. Their intentions aren't altruistic and they couldn't get a stuff about film history or preservation.

 

In the short term they want the library to compete with Netflix and Disney, but their ultimate goal is more media consolidation in the hands of the elite (where they can control the narrative, whether by movies or streaming or video games).

 

So I'll take fewer films in cinemas and theatrical continuing to die (which will happen regardless) over that group gaining any more control of mass media. Surely you see what their endgame is here.

 

Not very inclusive of you. We invite all different peoples and nationalities to participate in society and commerce.

[Bellosh 4,531]

On 07/12/2025 at 5:32 PM, Tallguy said:

 

The who now?

 

 

Why so?

 

sorry for the late reply.

 

more so just the concept not the actual staff 

 

I can't fault someone wanting to make an honest buck 

 

I was just in my rant mode

[Edmilson 12,370]

37 minutes ago, crumbs said:

 

I think you're seriously underestimating why these people want to buy movie studios (after buying EA) and what their true motivations are. All those concerns you have with Netflix apply to Kushner/Trump/Ellison/the Saudis. Their intentions aren't altruistic and they couldn't get a stuff about film history or preservation.

 

In the short term they want the library to compete with Netflix and Disney, but their ultimate goal is more media consolidation in the hands of the elite (where they can control the narrative, whether by movies or streaming or video games).

 

So I'll take a few less films in cinemas and theatrical continuing to die (which will happen regardless) over that group gaining any more control of mass media. Surely you see what their endgame is here.

It's a lose-lose situation. There is not a good way out of this mess.

 

But I still think Netflix is the worst choice for the entertainment industry as a whole. Giving this much access to some of the most important media libraries in the world to a tech company won't lead to a good outcome at all. 

 

Movie theaters will die, and thus an entire cultural habit cultivated for centuries will end. The "Netflix style" of production will lead to more poor quality movies and shows that will pay worse for artists. They will reach even more people with WB's consolidated IP. More AI crap inundating the market, with you paying for it.

 

It's not just movie theaters, even though their death would be already a tragic cultural loss for mankind. It's the art of making movies as a whole. It's forcing the entire industry to produce algorithmically driven slop.

[Maurizio 6,913]

I think it’s too early to paint apocalyptic scenarios, even though it’s a great temptation for many during times of deep transformation like these. Surely there is a lot of political power play in act here and the current US President isn’t shying away from any of this, so take this for whatever it means.

 

I agree that everyone will lose with either option. It doesn’t really matter who ends up gobbling Warners, the end result will be one less studio, hence less competition and just more consolidation. It’s a given that this will lead to just more four-quadrants fare being produced and stuff aimed at mass consumption. The sad reality is that Hollywood is competing for attention from the likes of TikTok and YouTube, so that will probably be the path that will be taken. Perhaps new spaces will open at the very bottom of the funnel and what could happen is the birth of some kind of underground, counterculture-driven filmmaking that fills the void left by the big studios and who knows who or what can be born from that… Maybe the next Coppola or the next Spielberg.
 

I don’t think the theatrical experience will die completely, but it will become a much more elite-like (i.e. much more expensive) habit, very much like opera is today. We’re already down that road since a few years so it’s just logical that it will continue that way.

 

 

[MedigoScan 412]

If that rumor of Paramount having an actor blacklist is anywhere close to true, then yeah they can go screw themselves if you ask me.

[bollemanneke 4,331]

So what we need to do now is write a heartfelt letter to Donald Trump explaining the importance of soundtrack expansions. If we went for the 'preserve American culture' angle, we might stand a chance.

[Holko 12,057]

But the next day he'll talk to whoever runs Warner and after that he'll say he was always strongly against expansions.

[Jill Sandwich 11,162]

You're all breaking the rules.

[Xander Harris 9,665]

Anything else going on here that’s against the rules?

[Edmilson 12,370]

👀

 

Netflix’s Biggest Wall Street Backer Downgrades It on Fear That Warner Deal Exposes Weakness to YouTube and TikTok Threat

Downgrading his rating on Netflix shares from "buy" to "hold," Pivotal Research Group analyst Jeff Wlodarczak says the megadeal reflects its concern that shortform is "is doing to streaming what streaming has done to traditional TV."

[Jill Sandwich 11,162]

That shortform shit isn't listed on Letterboxd.

[Quintus 6,490]

1 hour ago, Xander Harris said:

Anything else going on here that’s against the rules?

 

Shitting on stark Trump realities should be permissible. I think there are only two members here who would take issue, but fuck em.

[Bilbo 4,294]

40 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

👀

 

Netflix’s Biggest Wall Street Backer Downgrades It on Fear That Warner Deal Exposes Weakness to YouTube and TikTok Threat

Downgrading his rating on Netflix shares from "buy" to "hold," Pivotal Research Group analyst Jeff Wlodarczak says the megadeal reflects its concern that shortform is "is doing to streaming what streaming has done to traditional TV."

It’d be brilliant if this whole thing blew up on Netflix’s face. 

[Jill Sandwich 11,162]

24 minutes ago, Quintus said:

 

Shitting on stark Trump realities should be permissible. I think there are only two members here who would take issue, but fuck em.

 

Discussing matters of government is against the rules and will result in permanent expulsion and exile.

[Quintus 6,490]

3 minutes ago, FBC Director said:

 

Discussing matters of government is against the rules and will result in permanent expulsion and exile.

 

[Jill Sandwich 11,162]

If I'm not allowed to, then no-one else should be allowed either.

[Quintus 6,490]

3 minutes ago, FBC Director said:

If I'm not allowed to, then no-one else should he allowed either.

 

[bollemanneke 4,331]

1 hour ago, Bilbo said:

It’d be brilliant if this whole thing blew up on Netflix’s face. 

Fuck yeah, let it begin.

[Rachael Foley 10,161]

[Quintus 6,490]

8 hours ago, Maurizio said:

 

I don’t think the theatrical experience will die completely, but it will become a much more elite-like (i.e. much more expensive) habit, very much like opera is today. We’re already down that road since a few years so it’s just logical that it will continue that way.

 

 

 

I don't know how true it is, but I was listening to a news item on the radio the other day that said the youth are suddenly driving a big surge back into the cinema multiplexes. I wonder why; I didn't catch the whole report.

[Jill Sandwich 11,162]

Probably hipsters with Letterboxd accounts.

[bollemanneke 4,331]

20 minutes ago, Quintus said:

 

I don't know how true it is, but I was listening to a news item on the radio the other day that said the youth are suddenly driving a big surge back into the cinema multiplexes. I wonder why; I didn't catch the whole report.

and I heard on YouTube today that CDs are back on the rise too. Maybe we aren't doomed after all.

[Xander Harris 9,665]

It’s gonna replace CDs soon

[mstrox 7,348]

I’m not here to talk about politics, but whoever buys Warner should put the Gollum movie out of its misery.  Direct to streaming is fine, if they must.

[Jurassic Shark 16,425]

Paging @Chen G..

[Chen G. 6,138]

4 minutes ago, mstrox said:

but whoever buys Warner should put the Gollum movie out of its misery.  Direct to streaming is fine, if they must.

 

A trick!

A trick!!

Shameful trick!!!

Treachery!

Treachery!!

Treachery to be avenged as ne'er before!!!

Holimost gods, rulers of the heavens,

was this dark fate be ye ordained?

Would you doo me to such woe?

to will for me such shame!?

Then now rouse in me vengeance as was ne'er before seen!

stir in me anger, as could never be chilled!

Let Chen's heart now be broken,

if only to bring doom to his betrayer!

[Rachael Foley 10,161]

2 hours ago, mstrox said:

I’m not here to talk about politics, but whoever buys Warner should put the Gollum movie out of its misery.  Direct to streaming is fine, if they must.

For not caring, you sure do care a lot.

[Edmilson 12,370]

Burn them to the ground!

 

Netflix faces consumer class-action lawsuit over $72bn Warner Bros deal

Lawsuit argues that proposed deal threatens to reduce competition in US subscription video-on-demand market

[Xander Harris 9,665]

2 hours ago, mstrox said:

I’m not here to talk about politics, but whoever buys Warner should put the Gollum movie out of its misery.  Direct to streaming is fine, if they must.

And completely end whatever it is they’re doing with DC movies. It’s a disaster.

[Quintus 6,490]

I can't say I disagree with either of those.

[Jill Sandwich 11,162]

In the year 2056

[mstrox 7,348]

4 hours ago, The Score Cleaner said:

For not caring, you sure do care a lot.

I suspect that what I said would indicate that I care, Einstein.  Hope that helps!

[Rachael Foley 10,161]

7 minutes ago, mstrox said:

I suspect that what I said would indicate that I care, Einstein.  Hope that helps!

  

  

On 22/07/2025 at 12:25 PM, mstrox said:

A Shore score would actually make me somewhat interested in what happens with these movies, so hopefully it’s just Bear and I can ignore it.

 

[Edmilson 12,370]

57 minutes ago, FBC Director said:

In the year 2056

Drax and his wife waiting for a showing of Independence Day to begin in the last movie theater in the entire world after Netflix bought all of Hollywood.

[mstrox 7,348]

9 minutes ago, The Score Cleaner said:

  

  

 

If your read of that old quoted passage is “neutral,” you read it wrong.

[Rachael Foley 10,161]

Nevermind.

 

Calming John Williams Playlist

 

[Mr. Hooper 8,927]

1 hour ago, FBC Director said:

In the year 2056

Two seats facing the projection booth... God bless AI. lol

 

[Jill Sandwich 11,162]

[TSMefford 1,720]

Warner Bros. Discovery Rejects Paramount’s $108 Billion Hostile Bid, Citing “Significant Risks”
 

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warner-bros-rejects-paramount-hostile-offer-bidding-war-1236446771/

[Edmilson 12,370]

It's over now.

 

Thank you, movie theaters. You had a good run. We'll always remember the great memories we made there.

[MaxMovieMan 347]

It angers me to my core that there are those who are so oblivious to common sense that they’d rather have Netflix win this than Paramount.

[A24 5,153]

16 minutes ago, TSMefford said:

Warner Bros. Discovery Rejects Paramount’s $108 Billion Hostile Bid, Citing “Significant Risks”
 

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warner-bros-rejects-paramount-hostile-offer-bidding-war-1236446771/

 

Interesting. A financial expert here on the news (in Belgium) predicted that the shareholders will not look for the highest bid but for the one that is the most safest. 

[Jill Sandwich 11,162]

We still have Universal.

[A24 5,153]

16 minutes ago, FBC Director said:

We still have Universal.

 

Yes, the fans of the Wicked franchise can heave a sigh of relief.  

[Quintus 6,490]

1 hour ago, MaxMovieMan said:

It angers me to my core that there are those who are so oblivious to common sense that they’d rather have Netflix win this than Paramount.

 

After reading more into it I've switched sides from Paramount to Netflix although it's purely a lesser of two evils situation.

[enderdrag64 1,813]

24 minutes ago, Jim said:

 

After reading more into it I've switched sides from Paramount to Netflix although it's purely a lesser of two evils situation.

The best case would be neither, although WB under Zaslav is pretty shit as well

From a soundtrack perspective on the surface it seems Paramount might be better, but maybe not with that recent Star Trek licensing cost news. Additionally I just realized that a Netflix acquisition would probably mean WB gets decent FYCs again. Not an exact replacement for expansions but better than nothing

 

 

[Quintus 6,490]

12 minutes ago, enderdrag64 said:

The best case would be neither

 

Goes without saying.