"Reduced Consumer Choice & Harmed Workers": DOJ Asked To Investigate WBD Merger

The combination of Warner Bros. and Discovery is being investigated by lawmakers who claim it hurt jobs and less options for consumers. In the early years of 2022, Warner Bros. combined with Discovery Inc to form Warner Bros. Discovery. The merger resulted in several changes, including the appointment of David Zaslav as CEO, the appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-CEOs of the DC studios division, and the combination of HBO Max and Discovery+. The corporate shakeup, which resulted in widespread layoffs and other cost-cutting measures, was not warmly accepted by all employees.

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Workers dread additional layoffs, and customers fear higher prices and canceled content, as a result of these decisions. Legislators are starting to wonder if WBD should be allowed to do this, given that it is consolidating a large chunk of the entertainment business while simultaneously decreasing its staff and thereby limiting the number of available jobs. In addition, if no other companies emerge to challenge Warner Bros. Discovery, its high costs and limited selection might become the only options for customers. Even if the DOJ doesn't open an investigation into a transaction that has already concluded, the letter brings Warner Bros. Discovery to light.