The Current Netflix vs. Paramount: The Streamer That Would Be King
Dec 9, 2025
Barry Hertz, Deputy Arts Editor and Film Editor at The Globe and Mail, dives into the fierce competition between Netflix and Paramount for Warner Bros. assets. They explore the ramifications of this potential merger, including a potential monopoly over film and TV content. Hertz discusses the impact on theatrical releases, the Canadian production landscape, and the homogenization of storytelling. He also raises concerns about access and preservation in streaming versus traditional media. Overall, he sees little innovation and a lot of corporate consolidation on the horizon.
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Netflix Would Become A One-Stop Cultural Giant
- Netflix's bid would fold Warner Bros. Discovery's vast film and TV catalog into one dominant streaming service.
- That consolidation would make Netflix a near one-stop shop for huge swaths of popular culture.
Less Competition Means Fewer Voices
- Consolidation would shrink the number of competing platforms and reduce choices for viewers.
- Barry Hertz warns fewer competitors mean less variety and more homogenized storytelling.
Canadian Services Could Lose Key Content
- Crave relies heavily on Warner content through an output deal, leaving it vulnerable if assets move to Netflix.
- Barry says Netflix could try to buy out that deal, imperiling Crave's subscriber base.