Actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong have called on the UK government to block the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., warning that the deal could seriously damage the British film and television industry, writes Variety.
In an opinion piece addressed to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, the three actors described her decision on the merger as one of the most significant any culture secretary could make for the country’s media sector in a generation.
They argued that the merger could lead to job losses, cancelled productions, fewer film commissions and reduced creative risk-taking.
While they acknowledged that competition issues fall largely under the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), they urged Nandy to reject the deal on public interest grounds.
The actors said the merger would concentrate control over major news organisations under a single commercial owner.
Paramount owns public service broadcaster Channel 5 in the UK and CBS in the United States.
If the merger proceeds, CNN and CNN International would also come under the same ownership.
In the article, published by The Guardian, they warned that placing the archives of CBS and CNN under one company would give a single commercial owner significant control over historical news records, raising concerns about the public interest.
The trio urged Nandy to intervene, arguing that failing to act would weaken the UK’s ability to protect its media industry and cultural landscape from further consolidation.
Nandy has already indicated that she is minded to intervene in the proposed merger.
However, Parliament is in recess until 1 September, delaying any immediate decision.
The culture secretary is also handling several other major media issues, including Comcast-owned Sky’s proposed acquisition of ITV and the renewal of the BBC’s Royal Charter.
Last week, the European Commission approved the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, subject to certain conditions.
The deal continues to face opposition in the United States. On Friday, Paramount agreed to delay the merger until after an antitrust trial.
