Overview
- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters submitted a detailed report to the DOJ Antitrust Division arguing the merger poses a direct threat to film and television workers, including nearly 15,000 Motion Picture Teamsters.
- Union leaders say they will only support the transaction if it includes binding commitments to maintain and increase domestic production, uphold strong labor standards, and protect against layoffs and erosion of union jobs.
- The proposed deal would combine two of Hollywood’s five major studios and merge HBO Max with Paramount+, a level of consolidation critics link to prior job losses such as those following Disney’s 2019 Fox acquisition.
- Regulatory review continues after the Hart‑Scott‑Rodino waiting period expired, and the DOJ and state enforcers still have authority to challenge the transaction.
- Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison defends the merger as pro‑competitive, cites plans for a combined 30 theatrical releases annually and projected $6 billion in savings, while the Writers Guild of America has also publicly opposed the deal.