Let's not surrender the cinema we love to those who would reduce it to crap, okay?
The NonStack Cocktail returns with another ALL anti-media-consolidation post just for you!
1
“Two patriots who will not bend the knee” and who will lead the “block the merger” to victory!
I have been so deeply impressed by Norm Eisen and Mark Ruffalo in their devotion to blocking the merger… This is just one of the many examples. Give it a watch/listen now please.
The Ellisons will do to CNN what they did to CBS. They will also have TikTok under their command. The first amendment harm from that is complemented by the first amendment harm to creative voices over consolidation of industry and the economic harm to those who work in these industries — as well as to consumers who are losing access to choice and truth. Consider that, will you, friend.
(TH)
2
The Merger will be blocked at the state level — with California leading the charge
Newsom Grows Antitrust War Chest As California Mulls Paramount-WBD Merger
Get ready to rumble!
“In response to the federal government’s recent retreat from enforcing antitrust laws, the May Revision includes $14.3 million Special Funds in 2026-27, declining to $10.5 million in 2029-30, to address an anticipated increase in antitrust workload,” reads Newsom’s May Revision budget summary released Thursday.
“The lack of federal oversight in this area leaves California individuals and businesses vulnerable to predatory business practices that threaten affordability and consumer rights,” the 105-page document adds. “California has been a leader in this area, most recently dedicating $8 million annually since the 2023 Budget Act, specifically to prosecute antitrust violations in the gas and oil, technology, and agricultural sectors. These resources allow DOJ to conduct independent investigations and litigation and to enforce California’s antitrust laws in these sectors of the economy.”
(TH)
3
We do not stand alone though… The EU stands with us. Or is starting to…
U.S., EU lawmakers pledge European scrutiny of Paramount’s WBD deal
This is starting to feel like an Avengers episode, right? Only this time they will win. Really. Really, really.
(TH)
4
But answer me this: If this isn’t corruption, then what is?
Shouldn’t all government officials be blocked from engaging in stock purchases while in office? I think so and it makes me sick that they aren’t. How can we trust anything they do?
As the article states, “the disclosures totaled at least $220 million in transactions, including those involving Nvidia, Apple Corp., Microsoft, Amazon and Meta.”
https://deadline.com/2026/05/trump-financial-disclsoure-paramount-warner-bros-1236906103/
(TH)
5
And folks are speaking up, both in the industry and in other industries too!
Perhaps it is time you joined them.
And from the head of the independent pharmacists association:
“What we’re all up against is a familiar pattern: consolidation that concentrates decision-making far away from the communities affected; vertical integration that turns gatekeepers into competitors; and dominant firms that can dictate terms across a supply chain. When a handful of powerful players can pick winners and losers, the market stops being a market and it most certainly isn’t free.”
Might sound a wee bit familiar... yeah?
(TH)
Who’s sharing what, you ask?
ARB= Alex Rollins Berg AS= Amanda Sweikow AV=Ami Vora CR= Courtney Romano DS= Danielle A. Scruggs SS= Sara’s Solilquies TH= Ted Hope
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nice tree photo!
If we zoom out Media companies are executing strategic acquisitions to secure foundational AI capabilities, talent (acquhires), and data libraries. The cost to build the necessary data centers and computing frameworks is so high that smaller players are compelled to merge to remain competitive.
With traditional cable TV (linear TV) viewership declining and streaming services facing saturation, media conglomerates are consolidating to form multi-platform bundles. Aggregating premium content under unified platforms and selling non-core assets are critical to reversing slowing revenue growth.
If you look strictly at traditional entertainment, the Paramount Global and Skydance Media merger—complemented by subsequent discussions involving Warner Bros. Discovery—proves the second half of the thesis.
Faced with severe subscription fatigue and declining legacy cable revenues, these legacy entities are consolidating to build massive, unified IP libraries. This scale gives them the necessary pricing power to survive, while pooling their resources to offset the massive capital costs required to build out modern digital and AI distribution architectures.
The purpose of corporations in a free market is to enhance shareholder value and in my opinion that is what CEO of media companies are attempting to do due to uncertainty to their legacy business model due to artificial intelligence. I agree consolidation is lamentable but unfortunately necessary.