Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Andrew Sanford | News | October 24, 2025
I never thought I’d see the day when I yearned for the standard incompetence displayed by David Zaslav. But, with the potential merger of Warner Bros. and Paramount on the horizon, that day could soon be here. Such a combination of companies could be disastrous for employees and consumers. Prices will skyrocket (even more than they already are), and employees will be laid off in droves. Also, one conservative billionaire family will be in charge of CNN and CBS news. Bad.
Luckily, the WGA is ready to take a stand. Both sections of the guild (East and West) issued a joint statement yesterday condemning the potential merger. This is hot on the heels of them protesting the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, and a few years removed from them striking for fairer wages and protections against AI. They know how to picket, to say the least, and are ready to turn their energy against the merger.
“Merger after merger in the media industry has harmed workers, diminished competition and free speech, and wasted hundreds of billions of dollars better invested in organic growth,” read the statement. “Combining Warner Bros. with Paramount or another major studio or streamer would be a disaster for writers, for consumers, and for competition. The WGAW will work with regulators to block the merger.”
The interesting wrinkle here is that it doesn’t just seem that the WGA is against WB being bought by Paramount. They don’t want them merging with anyone. Presumably, that includes Netflix and Comcast, who have been listed as potential suitors. And I don’t blame them! I’ve found myself accepting the idea of any company other than Paramount winning out. It was me hoping for the lesser of several evils. The WGA is attacking the idea whole cloth.
For a while, it seemed like the company that would win out would be whoever managed to woo ole Zaslav. He is digging in his heels and hoping for some big kind of position at the next company. However, he should know that it isn’t guaranteed. Vince McMahon refused to sell WWE to Saudi Arabia because he thought they would remove him from the board of directors. So, he sold to TKO Holdings instead, assured that they would keep him. He was fired shortly after the sale was finished.
Then, we have the man who is currently destroying the White House. Would it surprise you to learn that sources claim his administration is very interested in the merger? They’ve even made it clear who they want to win out, claiming that Paramount is the best choice. The most corrupt administration to ever step foot in Washington D.C., is actively trying to tip the scales in favor of one of their donors. Who’d a thunk it?!
It’s hard to think that this ends positively. However, the WGA standing up gives me hope. More people can and will fight back against this kind of nonsense, and that’s something to be grateful for. But it won’t be easy. It never is.
