Slate Daily Feed What Next: The Fight Over The Future of Movies
Dec 10, 2025
Nitish Pahwa, a Slate staff writer specializing in business and tech, dives into the intense battle for Warner Bros. Discovery. He explains Netflix's strategic acquisition of the company amidst a hostile takeover by Paramount's David Ellison. The podcast explores the ambitions of both Ellison and Warner Bros.' CEO David Zaslav, revealing how their competing visions could reshape the entertainment landscape. Pahwa also discusses the broader implications of these megamergers on theaters, streaming services, and the future of film.
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Consolidation Is Reshaping Hollywood
- The Warner deal reveals the entertainment industry's consolidation is reshaping its future in worrying ways.
- Nitish Pahwa views the merger activity as a sign that tech-money is remaking studios into unstable conglomerates.
Ellison Thought It Was In The Bag
- David Ellison repeatedly pitched buying Warner Bros and believed the acquisition was 'in the bag.'
- His confidence followed the successful Paramount Skydance deal and public comments about wanting Warner Bros.
Zaslav's Cost-Cutting Made Him Unpopular
- David Zaslav rose from TV to lead Warner Bros. Discovery and pursued aggressive cost-cutting.
- Those cuts and his public comments made him unpopular with Hollywood and union actors/writers.