As Netflix and Paramount battle to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, Councilmember Konstantine Anthony requested that the City of Burbank enter into litigation to prevent the sale of the studios.
The former mayor of Burbank issued a statement Thursday urging the city to intervene with the intent of “preserving jobs in the city.”
“Burbank is known as ‘The Media Capital of the World’ and any attempt to consolidate large media conglomerates must be scrutinized under U.S. antitrust laws,” wrote Councilmember Anthony.
Paramount launched a hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery after it lost to Netflix in a high-stakes bidding war, the company announced Monday.
The Burbank City Council will have its first vote on the sale on Dec. 16 at the next regular meeting.
Councilmember Anthony previously served as Mayor of Burbank during the 191-day entertainment union strike in 2023 and is a member of SAG-AFTRA.
Warner Bros.’ portfolio includes HBO, the HBO Max streaming platform and the “Harry Potter” movie franchise. Netflix, home of “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game,” reaches more than 300 million paid subscribers across over 190 countries.
“Our mission has always been to entertain the world,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, in a news release. “By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies—from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends—with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we’ll be able to do that even better.
In a filing, Paramount said its bid will be backed in part by funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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