Mandalit Delbarco

A lot of people are skeptical.

Yes.

The Producers Guild, the Actors Union, they say they're very concerned.

And the Writers Guild wants the merger blocked.

They warn in a statement that the deal will eliminate jobs, push down wages, and raise prices for consumers.

The Directors Guild of America, that's headed by filmmaker Christopher Nolan, they say it will be meeting with Netflix to understand more of what all of this means.

Actress Jane Fonda calls this a catastrophic business deal that could destroy Hollywood and the entire entertainment industry.

She spoke on behalf of the Committee for the First Amendment, which her father, Henry Fonda, helped create during the McCarthy era.

And we should note that the Actors Union SAG-AFTRA also represents many of us at NPR.

Well, we'll have to see, but there is bipartisan concern about the deal.

Utah Senator Mike Lee, he tweeted that there's sure to be an antitrust hearing.

Another Republican, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, he suggests the deal could hurt consumers and even Western society.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, tweeted that the Netflix deal looks like an anti-monopoly nightmare.

She said it'll create a massive media giant that would force consumers into higher prices.

and fewer choices?

California Congressman Ro Khanna, a member of the Progressive Caucus, he told NPR the deal should be scrutinized by regulators.

You know, we reached out to the White House for comment and haven't heard back yet.

But Ted Sarandos told investors and reporters that he's confident of the regulatory process.

And he says Netflix is going full steam ahead.

And if the deal is approved by investors and regulators, Netflix, Warner Brothers, or whatever they'll call it, could be in business later next year.