[Reuters] Netflix to buy Warner Bros Discovery's studios, streaming unit for $72 billion

[Signalstar]

SanAndreasX said:

Signalstar said:

Honestly I would rather Paramount buy WB than Netflix. Netflix is fully out to destroy movie theaters and theatrical exhibition. Owning WB, will help them accelerate that considerably.

As much as I dislike MAGA I don't think they can do much more damage to theatrical exhibition. Paramount is a shell of its former self as a studio with little in the way of valuable IP.

Remember, Rupert Murdoch used to own 20th Century Fox and that was a viable and competitive studio until it was scooped up by Disney. Now the for Fox unit releases a few token films a year that don't compete with Disney's blockbuster mandate. 

If theaters have any chance of survival, Netflix can't acquire any legacy studios. 

Movie theatres are a sacrifice I would gladly make to keep WB and its properties from becoming another MAGA propaganda arm. I have gone to a movie theatre twice in the past 5 years. They're far too expensive and don't offer an experience that matches the high price, especially when I have an OLED TV and home theatre I can watch movies on if I want. That's what's really killing the theatres. $40 for a movie night for two is insane. If they want to survive, they're going to have to figure out how to get those prices down. 

Why do you think Trump is personally getting involved to manipulate the sale into the hands of his oligarch buddy? They already fired Colbert, and it seems like they're doing everything they can to hamper South Park, the only thing of value Paramount really has anymore. CBS under Bari Weiss is an absolute train wreck. Trump certainly doesn't care about the integrity of movie theatres, and neither does Ellison. Theatres will die just as fast with WB under Ellison as they will with WB under Netflix. But we'll be spared all the horrible propaganda MAGA will use DC Comics for. 

And I have gone to see a movie in theaters 60 times this year and will go at least 5 more times before the end of year.

I am a filmmaker. I went to film school. I want to work in the film industry. I write and report about the box office. I am very invested in the continued survival of theatrical exhibition. I know nothing besides Covid has had a worse impact on theaters than Netflix and streaming in general. 

I am also a WBD shareholder. I will gladly sell my shares to Paramount for more money than to Netflix. 

The entertainment industry is run by many wealthy people, a lot of them lean conservative, that is just a fact. Sure Ellison may be more vocal about his Trump support but Trump is temporary. He is term limited and will be dead soon anyway. Ellison says Paramount will look to release around 30 films a year in theaters if they own WB. Netflix only gives their films limited theatrical runs in a small number of theaters mostly to qualify for awards and satisfy filmmaker's egos. 

Movies without a vibrant theatrical environment is just content.