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LOS ANGELES \u2014\u00a0With Paramount in a position to take over\u00a0Warner Bros. Discovery\u2019s studio and streaming business, elected officials and Hollywood figures have strong opinions. Sen. Adam Schiff of California is calling for the\u00a0potential deal\u00a0to be subject to the \u201chighest levels of scrutiny\u201d while actor Mark Ruffalo fears it could hurt competition. Many Democrats have come out against the merger.<\/p>\n
Here’s what some are saying, in their own words:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s worrisome. I would lie if I said \u2014 as someone that\u2019s making work and producing work \u2014 that it isn\u2019t worrisome. But I think the North Star always has to be: Do you have a story to tell? Is it important to tell it?\u201d \u2014 the actor, in an interview with The Associated Press.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was true for Netflix is still true now for Paramount. The merger of two of Hollywood\u2019s biggest studios must be subject to the highest levels of scrutiny, free from White House political influence, to determine its impact on American jobs, freedom of speech, and the future of one of our nation\u2019s greatest exports.\u201d \u2014\u00a0the Democratic senator from California, via X<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease let\u2019s circle up all the State AG\u2019s and talk about how this is going to kill completion in the industry and drive down wages, and product quality for consumers. There are lots of agents in Hollywood who can tell you how past mergers and consolidations have hurt their clients and business. There is lots of talent that can tell you the same.\u201d \u2014 the\u00a0actor, via X.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. merger is an antitrust disaster threatening higher prices and fewer choices for American families. … A handful of Trump-aligned billionaires are trying to seize control of what you watch and charge you whatever price they want. With the cloud of corruption looming over Trump\u2019s Department of Justice, it\u2019ll be up to the American people to speak up and state attorneys general to enforce the law.\u201d \u2014 the Democratic senator from Massachusetts, in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cParamount should enjoy its growing news monopoly while they have it because when Democrats win back power we are going to break up these anti-democratic information conglomerates. All of them.\u201d \u2014\u00a0the Democratic senator from Connecticut, via X<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cParamount\/Warner Bros is not a done deal. These two Hollywood titans have not cleared regulatory scrutiny \u2014 the California Department of Justice has an open investigation, and we intend to be vigorous in our review.\u201d \u2014 the California attorney general, in a statement.<\/p>\nMark Ruffalo<\/h2>\n
Sen. Elizabeth Warren<\/h2>\n
Sen. Chris Murphy<\/h2>\n
Attorney General Rob Bonta<\/h2>\n
Sen. Cory Booker<\/h2>\n