Texas congressman Joaquin Castro has taken to X to slam Warner Bros Discovery for axing the $70M Coyote vs. Acme for a reported $30M tax writeoff.
That said, as we first reported, the studio is changing course this week and screening the film for potential buyers, i.e. Amazon Prime (a leading contender), Apple and Netflix. This pivot by studio brass was made after a weekend in which the studio’s phone rang off the hook as the creative community complained about the canceling of the finished film. There also was an outcry by the pic’s composer Steven Price, among others online.
“The @Wbd tactic of scrapping fully made films for tax breaks is predatory and anti-competitive,” wrote Castro, who has protested Wbd before on antitrust issues.
“As the Justice Department and @FTC revise their antitrust guidelines they should review this conduct,” he continued.
“As someone remarked, it’s...
That said, as we first reported, the studio is changing course this week and screening the film for potential buyers, i.e. Amazon Prime (a leading contender), Apple and Netflix. This pivot by studio brass was made after a weekend in which the studio’s phone rang off the hook as the creative community complained about the canceling of the finished film. There also was an outcry by the pic’s composer Steven Price, among others online.
“The @Wbd tactic of scrapping fully made films for tax breaks is predatory and anti-competitive,” wrote Castro, who has protested Wbd before on antitrust issues.
“As the Justice Department and @FTC revise their antitrust guidelines they should review this conduct,” he continued.
“As someone remarked, it’s...
- 11/14/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The Senate Judiciary Committee revived the prospects for a long-proposed bill that would bolster print and broadcast news outlets in their negotiations with tech giants.
The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday in a 14-7 vote.
The bill would create a “safe harbor” from antitrust laws for a period of six years years for newspapers, broadcast stations and digital journalism outlets, giving them more market power in the face of competition for advertising from Google and Facebook. If publishers are unable to come to terms with platforms on a deal for their content, an arbitrator would ultimately determine the rates.
Lawmakers who champion the legislation, led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-mn) and Sen. John Kennedy (R-la), say that it is needed in the face of the decline of local journalism, which has seen the scaling back of newsroom coverage and severe cuts in staffing.
The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday in a 14-7 vote.
The bill would create a “safe harbor” from antitrust laws for a period of six years years for newspapers, broadcast stations and digital journalism outlets, giving them more market power in the face of competition for advertising from Google and Facebook. If publishers are unable to come to terms with platforms on a deal for their content, an arbitrator would ultimately determine the rates.
Lawmakers who champion the legislation, led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-mn) and Sen. John Kennedy (R-la), say that it is needed in the face of the decline of local journalism, which has seen the scaling back of newsroom coverage and severe cuts in staffing.
- 6/15/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
When AT&T decided to offload WarnerMedia on Discovery Communications, a big part of the deal’s premise was creating a “stronger competitor in global streaming.” Nearly two years after the deal was first announced and a year after the merger was completed, Warner Bros. Discovery is finally set to unveil details about a new service that combines HBO Max and Discovery+ on Wednesday.
Much has changed for the company and the industry in the intervening time since its creation. Where Wall Street once pressed companies to grow streaming subscribers, analysts and investors are now closely scrutinizing plans to turn direct-to-consumer businesses profitable.
Warner Bros. Discovery, which faces a heavy debt load, has been undergoing a major restructuring, one it expects to complete by the end of 2024. The company estimated in December that it would incur up to $5.3 billion in total pre-tax restructuring charges, including up to $3.5 billion in content impairment and development write-offs.
Much has changed for the company and the industry in the intervening time since its creation. Where Wall Street once pressed companies to grow streaming subscribers, analysts and investors are now closely scrutinizing plans to turn direct-to-consumer businesses profitable.
Warner Bros. Discovery, which faces a heavy debt load, has been undergoing a major restructuring, one it expects to complete by the end of 2024. The company estimated in December that it would incur up to $5.3 billion in total pre-tax restructuring charges, including up to $3.5 billion in content impairment and development write-offs.
- 4/11/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Following the Warner Bros. Discovery merger one year ago, some members of Congress have petitioned the Department of Justice to launch an inquiry into alleged anti-competitive behavior.
In a letter to the Department of Justice, Democratic representatives Elizabeth Warren, Pramila Jayapal, David Cicilline, and Joaquin Castro suggested that the “Warner Bros. Discover merger market share has enabled it to harm workers and heighten barriers to entry in the media and entertainment industry.” The implication is that harsh tactics employed by the company have adversely affected employees and those employed in the media and entertainment business. The lawmakers allege this harms the ability to fight for improved wages and job conditions by competing in the market.
WarnerMedia and Discovery officially became Warner Bros. Discovery in 2022, a year after announcing the intended merger. As a result, HBO Max, discovery+, and channels like CNN, TBS, and TNT all found a home under the same banner.
In a letter to the Department of Justice, Democratic representatives Elizabeth Warren, Pramila Jayapal, David Cicilline, and Joaquin Castro suggested that the “Warner Bros. Discover merger market share has enabled it to harm workers and heighten barriers to entry in the media and entertainment industry.” The implication is that harsh tactics employed by the company have adversely affected employees and those employed in the media and entertainment business. The lawmakers allege this harms the ability to fight for improved wages and job conditions by competing in the market.
WarnerMedia and Discovery officially became Warner Bros. Discovery in 2022, a year after announcing the intended merger. As a result, HBO Max, discovery+, and channels like CNN, TBS, and TNT all found a home under the same banner.
- 4/10/2023
- by Ree Winter
- The Streamable
Nearing the one year anniversary of Discovery and AT&T’s WarnerMedia merger, four Democrats in Congress are calling for the Department of Justice to reassess the deal.
In a letter to the Justice Department’s top enforcers, the lawmakers say that the merger has enabled Warner Bros. Discovery to “adopt potentially anticompetitive practices” that prompted numerous layoffs and reduced programming options for consumers. They allege that “current competition in the media and entertainment industry is inadequate.”
Months before the $43 billion deal was blessed, 30 members of Congress warned the agency in a letter in Dec. 2021 that the resulting competition vacuum would harm workers and consumers. Among the concerns they advanced was that it could dampen “economic opportunity for workers” on top of diverse programming, which became a common criticism after the company canned its $90 million HBO Max film Batgirl, the first DC movie led by a Latina, for a tax write-off.
In a letter to the Justice Department’s top enforcers, the lawmakers say that the merger has enabled Warner Bros. Discovery to “adopt potentially anticompetitive practices” that prompted numerous layoffs and reduced programming options for consumers. They allege that “current competition in the media and entertainment industry is inadequate.”
Months before the $43 billion deal was blessed, 30 members of Congress warned the agency in a letter in Dec. 2021 that the resulting competition vacuum would harm workers and consumers. Among the concerns they advanced was that it could dampen “economic opportunity for workers” on top of diverse programming, which became a common criticism after the company canned its $90 million HBO Max film Batgirl, the first DC movie led by a Latina, for a tax write-off.
- 4/7/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, four Democratic lawmakers have called on the Department of Justice to investigate the company.
A letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General Johanthan Kanter from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Rep. David Cicilline (D-Rhode Island) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) claims that the merger has appeared to have enabled the company to “adopt potentially anticompetitive practices that reduce consumer choice and harm workers in affected labor markets.”
Thousands of jobs cut, content creators harmed in unprecedented ways, less consumer choice. Mergers aren’t automatically good for business or people. (2/2)
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) April 7, 2023
Discovery closed its $43 billion merger of WarnerMedia in April 2022, which was ultimately not challenged by the DOJ after a review.
Also Read:
Warner Bros. in Talks to Produce ‘Harry Potter’ TV Series for HBO Max
The letter cites several workforce...
A letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General Johanthan Kanter from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Rep. David Cicilline (D-Rhode Island) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) claims that the merger has appeared to have enabled the company to “adopt potentially anticompetitive practices that reduce consumer choice and harm workers in affected labor markets.”
Thousands of jobs cut, content creators harmed in unprecedented ways, less consumer choice. Mergers aren’t automatically good for business or people. (2/2)
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) April 7, 2023
Discovery closed its $43 billion merger of WarnerMedia in April 2022, which was ultimately not challenged by the DOJ after a review.
Also Read:
Warner Bros. in Talks to Produce ‘Harry Potter’ TV Series for HBO Max
The letter cites several workforce...
- 4/7/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi and Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Four Democratic lawmakers want the Justice Department to investigate Warner Bros Discovery, claiming that the merged company has harmed workers and reduced consumer choice.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-ca), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-tx), Rep. David Cicilline (D-ri) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-wa) wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and DOJ antitrust chief Jonathan Kanter that the merger “appears to have enabled” the company to “adopt potentially anticompetitive practices that reduce consumer choice and harm workers in affected labor markets.”
WarnerMedia and Discovery were combined last year in a transaction that was not challenged by the DOJ after a review.
“The company has the incentive and ability to eliminate broad swaths of its workforce, leaving workers with fewer choices for employment and advancement,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter (read it here). They cited the layoffs over the past year, including the shutdown of CNN+, as well as later...
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-ca), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-tx), Rep. David Cicilline (D-ri) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-wa) wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and DOJ antitrust chief Jonathan Kanter that the merger “appears to have enabled” the company to “adopt potentially anticompetitive practices that reduce consumer choice and harm workers in affected labor markets.”
WarnerMedia and Discovery were combined last year in a transaction that was not challenged by the DOJ after a review.
“The company has the incentive and ability to eliminate broad swaths of its workforce, leaving workers with fewer choices for employment and advancement,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter (read it here). They cited the layoffs over the past year, including the shutdown of CNN+, as well as later...
- 4/7/2023
- by Ted Johnson and Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
A man who lost his son in the 2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, was arrested outside of a House hearing on the Second Amendment on Thursday. Manuel Oliver, as well as his wife Patricia Oliver, were ejected from the hearing after exchanging words with lawmakers prior to the arrest.
Freshman Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) posted a video of the arrest on social media. “Manny Is A Hero,” Frost wrote. “He didn’t deserve this. The Republican Chair of this committee just called him a narcissist. Disgraceful.”
Here is @manueloliver00 being...
Freshman Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) posted a video of the arrest on social media. “Manny Is A Hero,” Frost wrote. “He didn’t deserve this. The Republican Chair of this committee just called him a narcissist. Disgraceful.”
Here is @manueloliver00 being...
- 3/23/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
By many measures, Rep. David Cicilline (D-r.I.) is a Very Important Democrat. He’s the Democratic leader of the House’s antitrust subcommittee, one of the chamber’s prestigious perches. In 2021, he and a team of fellow House lawmakers led the first-ever second impeachment of a president. He enjoys regular invitations to share his thoughts on Sunday cable news shows, the coin of a realm that tunes its news cycle to those soundbites.
Which made it all the more surprising when Cicilline announced last month that he’d be leaving Congress,...
Which made it all the more surprising when Cicilline announced last month that he’d be leaving Congress,...
- 3/12/2023
- by Kara Voght
- Rollingstone.com
Rep. David Cicilline (D-ri), who has championed a set of antitrust bills to curb the power of big tech, said that he plans to resign from Congress on June 1 to take a job at a non profit foundation.
Cicilline will serve as president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.
“The chance to lead the Rhode Island Foundation was unexpected, but it is an extraordinary opportunity to have an even more direct and meaningful impact on the lives of residents of our state,” Cicilline said in a statement.
In the last Congress, as the chair of the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, Cicilline, along with its top Republican, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Co), championed a set of bills aimed at curtailing the power of Google, Facebook and other major tech companies. The bills, including one that could have led to the breakup of major platforms, advanced in the House Judiciary Committee.
Cicilline will serve as president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.
“The chance to lead the Rhode Island Foundation was unexpected, but it is an extraordinary opportunity to have an even more direct and meaningful impact on the lives of residents of our state,” Cicilline said in a statement.
In the last Congress, as the chair of the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, Cicilline, along with its top Republican, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Co), championed a set of bills aimed at curtailing the power of Google, Facebook and other major tech companies. The bills, including one that could have led to the breakup of major platforms, advanced in the House Judiciary Committee.
- 2/21/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The DGA and IATSE are praising Congress for passing the Respect for Marriage Act, which ensures federal recognition of same-sex and interracial unions.
The legislation, which was introduced in the wake of the Supreme Court’s repealing of Roe v. Wade, received bipartisan support. It was approved today in the House of Representatives by a vote of 258-169 and in the Senate last week by a vote voted 61-36, and the bill now heads to President Joe Biden for his signature.
Related Story Marriage Equality Bill Clears Congress In House Vote; Joe Biden Next Will Sign Protections For Same-Sex And Interracial Unions Related Story WGA West Collected 16 Million In Foreign Levies In Fy 2022; Total At 340.7 Million Since 1992 Related Story Joe Biden Signs Bill Limiting Use Of Non-Disclosure Agreements That Cover Workplace Sexual Harassment — Update
“The DGA applauds both houses of Congress for the bipartisan passage of the Respect for Marriage...
The legislation, which was introduced in the wake of the Supreme Court’s repealing of Roe v. Wade, received bipartisan support. It was approved today in the House of Representatives by a vote of 258-169 and in the Senate last week by a vote voted 61-36, and the bill now heads to President Joe Biden for his signature.
Related Story Marriage Equality Bill Clears Congress In House Vote; Joe Biden Next Will Sign Protections For Same-Sex And Interracial Unions Related Story WGA West Collected 16 Million In Foreign Levies In Fy 2022; Total At 340.7 Million Since 1992 Related Story Joe Biden Signs Bill Limiting Use Of Non-Disclosure Agreements That Cover Workplace Sexual Harassment — Update
“The DGA applauds both houses of Congress for the bipartisan passage of the Respect for Marriage...
- 12/8/2022
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The House gave final passage on Thursday to legislation to ensure federal recognition of same-sex and interracial unions, clearing a final milestone in Congress before going to President Joe Biden.
The legislation passed by a vote of 258-169. One member of House Republican leadership, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-ny) joined with 38 other GOP members in voting for the bill. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-mn), who chaired the National Republican Congressional Commitee in the most recent midterms, also voted for it, along with Rep. Liz Cheney (R-wy).
Democrats erupted in cheers as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the final tally, with some LGBTQ members, including Sean Patrick Maloney of New York and Mark Takano of California hugging their colleagues. Barney Frank, the former congressman who was one of the most prominent openly gay members, was present on the floor for the vote, chatting and shaking hands with former colleagues.
The bill, the Respect for Marriage Act,...
The legislation passed by a vote of 258-169. One member of House Republican leadership, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-ny) joined with 38 other GOP members in voting for the bill. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-mn), who chaired the National Republican Congressional Commitee in the most recent midterms, also voted for it, along with Rep. Liz Cheney (R-wy).
Democrats erupted in cheers as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the final tally, with some LGBTQ members, including Sean Patrick Maloney of New York and Mark Takano of California hugging their colleagues. Barney Frank, the former congressman who was one of the most prominent openly gay members, was present on the floor for the vote, chatting and shaking hands with former colleagues.
The bill, the Respect for Marriage Act,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
A long-in-the-works bill to allow news publishers and broadcast stations to jointly negotiate with tech giants for their content was left out of a massive defense spending bill, diminishing its prospects for passage by the end of this Congress.
The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act would create a “safe harbor” from antitrust laws for a period of eight years for newspapers, broadcast stations and digital journalism outlets. The legislation has been proposed multiple times in recent years, but so far has failed to move forward. It is intended to boost local news outlets, which have withered in the face of online competition.
But the tech industry has amped up its opposition against the legislation. As efforts were underway to include the bill in a massive defense spending bill this week, Facebook on Monday released a statement in which it said that it would be “forced to consider removing news from...
The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act would create a “safe harbor” from antitrust laws for a period of eight years for newspapers, broadcast stations and digital journalism outlets. The legislation has been proposed multiple times in recent years, but so far has failed to move forward. It is intended to boost local news outlets, which have withered in the face of online competition.
But the tech industry has amped up its opposition against the legislation. As efforts were underway to include the bill in a massive defense spending bill this week, Facebook on Monday released a statement in which it said that it would be “forced to consider removing news from...
- 12/7/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Donald Trump, who has recently announced that he filed to run for President in 2024, is facing some mudslinging from supporters of his likely GOP opponent Ron DeSantis, whom he called “average” last week.
While Trump was the star of the GOP for many years, he doesn’t seem to have the same degree of fervent enthusiasm he built behind himself by the end of his 2016 campaign, but it’s still early.
In Memoriam 2022: 100 Great Celebrities Who Died This Year!
It’s not confirmed whether these planes were commissioned by the DeSantis camp, but some have suggested that he could have signed off on it after his recent successful re-election bid to continue as Florida’s governor.
Airplane flying this banner over Mar-a-Lago right now: “You lost again Donald! #DeSantis2024” pic.twitter.com/FX2VwE2iVj
— Michael C. Bender (@MichaelCBender) November 15, 2022
His announcement was apparently counter to expert advice that...
While Trump was the star of the GOP for many years, he doesn’t seem to have the same degree of fervent enthusiasm he built behind himself by the end of his 2016 campaign, but it’s still early.
In Memoriam 2022: 100 Great Celebrities Who Died This Year!
It’s not confirmed whether these planes were commissioned by the DeSantis camp, but some have suggested that he could have signed off on it after his recent successful re-election bid to continue as Florida’s governor.
Airplane flying this banner over Mar-a-Lago right now: “You lost again Donald! #DeSantis2024” pic.twitter.com/FX2VwE2iVj
— Michael C. Bender (@MichaelCBender) November 15, 2022
His announcement was apparently counter to expert advice that...
- 11/17/2022
- by Jacob Linden
- Uinterview
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