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Ford: Netflix-Warner Deal Risks Talent Exodus
13 Feb
Summary
- Stuart Ford believes a Netflix-Warner Bros. merger poses an existential threat.
- He warns against Netflix's model excluding producers from meaningful backend.
- Ford stresses the need to preserve revenue flow for industry survival.
Stuart Ford, chairman of AGC Studios, expressed apprehension about a potential Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros., suggesting it could negatively impact the film industry. Ford articulated that the primary existential threat lies in Netflix's business model, which limits meaningful backend participation for producers and talent tied to a film's financial performance.
He cautioned that a culture where creators are treated like gig workers could lead to a generational exodus from the industry. Ford noted that the downstream effects of streaming's dominance are only now becoming apparent, disrupting the flow of money that historically supported talent, residuals, and the overall ecosystem.
Ford stressed the imperative for the independent and studio film businesses to actively protect the existing revenue circulation. He believes this preservation is crucial for the industry's revival and its continued ability to attract ambitious, idealistic talent, warning against a scenario where a single entity consolidates all gains.
