Senator Elizabeth Warren has publicly opposed a potential merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, calling it a “dangerous concentration of power” that “must be blocked.” Her statement came shortly after reports surfaced that the Ellison family, through their company Skydance Media, was preparing a bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, following the recent completion of Skydance’s $8 billion merger with Paramount Global on August 7, 2025.
Warren’s concerns center on the risks of media consolidation, arguing that such a merger would further concentrate control over the entertainment and news industries, potentially stifling competition, limiting consumer choice, and amplifying corporate influence.
The proposed deal would combine two major players in film, television, and streaming—Paramount (with assets like Paramount Pictures, CBS, and Paramount+) and Warner Bros. Discovery (which includes HBO, CNN, and Max)—potentially creating one of the largest media conglomerates in the world.
Critics of the merger, including Warren, argue it could lead to higher prices for consumers, reduced content diversity, and fewer opportunities for independent creators. Supporters, however, might claim that combining resources could strengthen competition against tech giants like Netflix and Amazon in the streaming wars.
Regulatory bodies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) would likely scrutinize any such deal under antitrust laws, given the significant market share the merged entity could command.