The Burbank City Council is set to decide the fate of Warner Bros. Discovery in a vote scheduled for December 16, as local officials weigh the impact of a potential sale on the city’s media industry.\nCouncilmember Konstantine Anthony, who once served as mayor during a 191‑day entertainment union strike, has called for litigation to halt the transaction.\n\nAnthony’s request follows Paramount’s hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery after the company lost to Netflix in a high‑stakes bidding war.\nThe bid, announced Monday, would bring new ownership to a studio that houses HBO, HBO Max, and the Harry Potter franchise.\n\nIn a statement Thursday, Anthony urged the city to intervene, citing the need to preserve jobs in Burbank.\nHe noted that \”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.\n\nThe sale’s implications extend beyond local employment; Warner Bros.’ portfolio includes globally recognized titles such as Harry Potter, while Netflix, home to Stranger Things and Squid Game, boasts over 300 million paid subscribers across more than 190 countries.\n\nTed Sarandos, co‑CEO of Netflix, released a statement praising the merger, saying, \”Our mission has always been to entertain the world… 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.\”\n\nParamount’s filing indicated that the bid would be supported in part by funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.\nThe company’s hostile approach follows its earlier loss to Netflix in the same bidding war.\n\nAnthony’s background as a member of SAG‑AFTRA and his experience as mayor during a prolonged strike lend weight to his concerns about the sale’s impact on local talent and labor.\n\nThe Burbank City Council will hold its first vote on the sale at its next regular meeting on December 16.\nThe decision will be pivotal for the city’s future as a hub for entertainment production.\n\nCouncilmembers who support the sale argue that the acquisition could bring investment and new opportunities to the region.\n\nOpponents, however, fear that consolidation could reduce competition and threaten the city’s reputation as a media capital.\n\nThe legal battle, if it proceeds, would involve antitrust scrutiny under U.S. law, a process that could delay or halt the transaction.\n\nWarner Bros. Discovery’s portfolio includes HBO, HBO Max, and the Harry Potter franchise, while Netflix’s library features Stranger Things, Squid Game, and more than 300 million paid subscribers.\n\nThe sale is part of a broader trend of media consolidation, with major players seeking to expand their reach across platforms.\n\nBurbank’s role as a key production hub makes the outcome of this vote significant for local studios and crews.\n\nThe city’s decision could set a precedent for other municipalities facing similar media consolidation proposals.\n\nLocal businesses that rely on the film and television industry will closely monitor the council’s decision, as it may affect employment and economic activity.\n\nThe Burbank City Council’s upcoming vote on December 16 will determine whether the city intervenes to protect local jobs and preserve its media legacy.\n\nStakeholders from both sides are preparing to present their arguments at the council meeting, hoping to influence the final outcome.\n\nThe outcome will also impact the broader entertainment industry, as it could signal how antitrust concerns are addressed in high‑profile media deals.\n\nAs the city prepares for the vote, the community remains divided, with voices both supporting and opposing the potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery.\n\n## Key Takeaways\n- Burbank City Council will vote Dec. 16 on Warner Bros. Discovery sale.\n- Councilmember Anthony seeks litigation to protect local jobs.\n- Paramount’s hostile bid is backed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE funds.\n\nThe decision on December 16 will shape Burbank’s media future and set an example for how cities confront large‑scale media acquisitions.
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