Netflix and Paramount vie for Warner Bros.
On Friday, it seemed to be a done deal: Netflix and Warner Bros. jointly announced that the streaming giant would be taking over the media and film company for around 71.3 billion euros. But in addition to the competition watchdogs, whose approval is still pending, US President Donald Trump also voiced criticism of the takeover. Shortly afterwards, film production company Paramount submitted an offer of around 93 billion euros.
Home cinema instead of going to the movies
If Netflix wins this battle, cinemas around the world will suffer, fears Trends-Tendances:
“There is one very specific concern: what will happen to the cinemas? Netflix makes money when you watch films at home. So people are wondering: is Netflix really interested in getting people to go to the movies? Netflix has promised it will, but the question remains: if your model is based on subscriptions, you'll be keen to get new releases on your platform as quickly as possible. ... People's attention has become the gold of the 21st century. And in this gold rush, the giants are not just buying studios, they're buying reflexes. They want you to focus all your energy on them every evening, without even thinking about it.”
Don't underestimate the audience's influence
Film editor Michał Walkiewicz remains optimistic in his article for Tygodnik Powszechny:
“The Netflix-Warner Bros. merger will create the largest streaming service on the market. Does this mean that all productions will now come from the same artistic mould? Will this centralisation of film production and distribution pose a threat to other Hollywood studios? How will other mega-companies like Disney and Apple respond to this situation? One thing is clear right now: it is us, all of us, who keep the business going. And if the last decade on the couch has taught us one thing, it's this optimistic realisation: we may not like cinema as much as we used to, but we like it even less when someone tells us what to watch, and where.”
Likely to end badly
A takeover by Paramount would pose a threat to freedom of expression and artistic freedom in the US, warns Die Zeit:
“After all, Warner Bros. Discovery owns news channel CNN as well as its venerable film studios. CNN's critical reporting has long been a thorn in the side of the US president. Now Donald Trump has the opportunity to neutralise CNN by bringing in an owner who supports him. ... Trump claims he will stick to the facts and base his decision on market share. It's difficult to imagine that he will ignore his political goals in the process. This could bring him one step closer to his goal of bringing hostile media outlets into line. This thriller is likely to have a nightmarish ending.”