British film studios must not be squeezed out of the industry by Warner Bros. buyout
The government must ensure that the Warner Bros. acquisition by Paramount or Netflix doesn’t squeeze independent British studios out of the industry, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg.
Mandy Girder, a partner at the firm, said: “The looming concern for the British film industry is that consolidation risks reducing competition, weakening the position of independent producers, and narrowing opportunities for original British storytelling. Some of the UK’s independent studios are already struggling. Aardman, which is behind many of Britain’s most recognisable animations had a £5m loss in 2024.”
She added: “The Creative Industries Sector Plan announced earlier this year promised a £380m investment for creative professionals and businesses across the UK, which would double to £31bn by 2035. In light of the proposed acquisition, the government must ensure the lion’s share of this money goes to independent studios and creators.”
Mandy said: “The UK is a major production base for Warner backed film and high-end television, and any change in ownership could bring increased investment in large scale productions. But this money and the opportunities resulting from it needs to support the interests of British creatives and media businesses, not just those of the acquiring party.”
She added: “Other key concerns for the British media industry include fewer commissioning buyers, pressure on intellectual property ownership, and possible shifts towards streaming first releases that could further challenge UK cinemas. Any change in Warner Bros. executive leadership team has the potential consequence of shifting priorities of the new consolidated group.”
Mandy said: “The outcome of this proposed acquisition will be an important test of how global media consolidation can be balanced with the UK’s creative, cultural and economic interests.”