The Hollywood actors union, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, is considering a strike next year over a potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by the streaming giant Netflix, according to a report.
Sources say Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is “building a war room” to oppose the merger, warning that allowing the streamer to take over a major film studio would be disastrous for actors and filmmakers, according to the New York Post.
“They believe that it’s bad for their members and it’s bad for consumers. A strike is not off the table if things heat up,” the Post added.
Netflix has reportedly reached out to Hollywood unions to ease concerns about a possible merger, though the company has made no public comment. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA appears to be mobilizing opposition, including contacting members with a vested interest in fighting the proposal.
“There is no timeline as yet, and there is no motion to ballot so far. But they are going to ramp up their opposition to this deal in the first quarter of 2026,” the paper said a source told them.
Officially, the union has taken no public position on the merger. Spokesperson Pamela Greenwalt said the proposal “requires careful review and analysis,” adding that any stance will be based on members’ best interests. She also noted that streaming rights are negotiated on an industry-wide basis, not by individual studios. Still, the union has voiced concern, saying in a Dec. 5 statement that the merger raises serious questions about the industry’s future and the creative workers who depend on it.
Industry insiders warn that further consolidation could lead to monopolistic practices and lower actor pay. Paramount–Skydance previously attempted a hostile $78 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, but the board rejected the bid and is now focused on a potential offer from Netflix. Any deal would still require approval from U.S. and European regulators, and some U.S. lawmakers have already raised concerns.
Hollywood actors’ union secretly plotting possible strike over Netflix-WBD merger: sources https://t.co/UerzmxOBTZ pic.twitter.com/YiHWqUP9MJ
— New York Post (@nypost) December 22, 2025
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