A Paramount-Warner merger will hurt Hollywood and people of color

Paramount- Warner merger could prove detrimental not just to Hollywood but also to communities of color, according to fresh reports. If the proposed merger between the two major studios goes through, a single company would command a significant portion of the movie industry, including two of the largest streaming services and two national news organizations.

This development has gained momentum recently with Paramount reportedly reaching a settlement with California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, who is leading a lawsuit against the merger on behalf of 12 states.

The deal, however, lacks substantial structural reforms and appears to be based on unenforceable promises. Paramount's controlling family, the Ellisons, have been pushing for a swift approval of the merger without addressing the genuine concerns raised by the affected communities.

In the United States, Latinos make up 19% of the population and accounted for 29% of all movie ticket sales in 2020. They frequent theaters more often compared to any other group. Moreover, Latino households possess a purchasing power exceeding $4 trillion. Similarly, Black Americans, though not explicitly mentioned, are also likely to be impacted by such a merger in terms of access to quality content and media representation.