Netflix V. Paramount V. Warner Bros

Sigh.

So there’s a lot going on in the world, most of it not good. The hot topic at the moment is Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. and the ramifications that sale may have for the entertainment industry going forward. Obviously, if the sale goes through, that means Netflix would not only own Warner Bros, but its many subsidiaries as well including HBO, New Line, DC Comics, WB Games, TNT and TCM to name but a few, but what will it mean for future Warner Bros. movies and shows at large? What will happen with HBO Max, especially since it’s supposed to launch on our shores in March of next year? What will happen to Warner Bros’ upcoming release slate? Supposedly, theatrical releases will remaining unchanged for the time being but Netflix is not exactly a studio known for being friendly to either movie theatres or physical media and that’s reason enough for concern.

To paraphrase what Val Kilmer and Jim Carrey once said in a 30-year-old Warner Bros. movie, it just raises too many questions and that’s before you get to the twist in this particular story, as Paramount has also recently launched a hostile bid for Warner Bros. and… oh boy, the implications of what would happen if that deal went through are every bit as horrifying for the industry, if not more so. In other words, that means more questions with even fewer answers. You know things are rough when Netflix buying Warners is the better option, but it’s still not good and the fact that I’m saying all this is such a damning indictment of where the industry currently stands.

And that’s all I’m gonna say on the matter…. at least for now. Buckle up, folks. This story is going to get wild and messy, but regardless of who wins in this shitshow, we lose either way.

I’m feeling a little sad. If you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna try and cheer myself up by watching some Classic Doctor Who.