Hollywood producers have approached Congress over the Netflix–Warner Bros. deal.

Leading figures in the film industry have expressed serious concerns about the possible consequences of Warner Bros. Discovery being acquired by Netflix.

A group of influential producers sent an open letter to the U.S. Congress, warning about a potential economic and institutional crisis in Hollywood. The authors, identifying themselves as “concerned feature-film producers,” chose to remain anonymous, citing fear of retaliation from Netflix, which they described as a powerful force in the distribution market.

Key Concerns Raised by the Producers

The letter highlights three major issues:

1. Possible destruction of the theatrical market:
Producers fear that Netflix could drastically reduce — or even eliminate — the exclusive theatrical window for Warner Bros. films before they appear on the Netflix–HBO Max platform. Current indications suggest this window might shrink to just two weeks.

2. Threat of market “strangulation”:
According to the authors, Netflix could gain enough market power to “effectively tighten a noose” around the theatrical industry, limiting the number of Warner Bros. films in cinemas and reducing downstream licensing payments after theatrical release.

3. Competitive imbalance:
The letter points out that other potential buyers, such as Comcast and Paramount, already have well-established theatrical distribution networks. Paramount, for example, has pledged to keep Warner Bros. as an independent studio releasing at least 14 theatrical films per year — a stark contrast to Netflix’s streaming-first strategy.

Impact on the Industry

The producers’ appeal adds new tension to the ongoing debate surrounding the deal, underscoring Hollywood’s worries about the future of traditional cinema in an era dominated by streaming services. Industry professionals warn that poorly regulated consolidation could destabilize the economics of movie theatres, restrict the creative freedom of studios, reduce viewing choices for audiences, and accelerate the shift toward fully digital consumption.