Let’s talk about the merger between Netflix and Warner Bros.

A blockbuster deal is in the works, but whether it’s for the best or worst is debatable. 

In December, Netflix, Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge, with the former acquiring the latter, including any intellectual properties under the brand.

WBD will also have its film and television studios, as well as streaming assets HBO and HBO Max, acquired by Netflix. Details on the offer show Netflix valuing WBD shares at $27.75 USD each. 

Netflix says the merger will look to provide more value for shareholders, more choices for consumers to watch on Netflix, and more opportunities for the creative community, among other actions. The streaming giant has also mentioned the merger is in the good thought of making the entertainment industry stronger.

Paramount is also looking to acquire the famous entertainment company, with $30 per share, but WSD is encouraging its shareholders to stick to Netflix’s offer.

Obviously, monopolizing is never a great thing in most industries. If there’s only a few options to choose from, it leads to the quality within the industry getting worse more often than not. 

Netflix aims to provide more opportunities for the creative community, but I feel like the merger will do the opposite. I also can’t trust anything from Warner Bros. lately when it comes to producing quality entertainment.

As a quick example, there’s the DC extended universe movies. Just see how the The Flash movie panned out, search into the cancelled Batgirl movie, and look into Henry Cavill and Ray Fisher’s relationship with the studio. I haven’t even talked about how Warner Bros. handled the Coyote vs. Acme movie yet, which for those wondering, is set to have a theatrical release this summer.

Another reason, which I feel is more up for debate, is Netflix isn’t exactly the most reliable and consistent with what it offers to its customers — at least from my previous experience. 

Whenever I used Netflix before, there would be times where I’d look for a series or movie to rewatch on a whim, just to see it not available anymore. I then sometimes had to either wait around for it to come back or find another service to stream it whenever I was less patient. Even if it does come back, in the case of shows, some episodes — and even some seasons — are not available to watch. Regardless if it’s a licensing issue or a deliberate choice not to have everything in the library, sometimes the experience feels incomplete. 

Even with some of the original shows Netflix has had on its platform, they’ve been handled with questionable activity more often than it should be happening. Stranger Things, which ended with Season 5, initially started with a group of children. Now, it has an all grown-up main cast. There’s also some controversies involving Noah Schnapp when it comes to his actions involving Zionism. 

If it means anything, plenty of parties, such as the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), have tried to push back against the merger for a few reasons — some overlapping with mine. 

While the merger might come off as a positive thing, I can only see it as a sidegrade at best, with so much worse to come at its lowest point.