MEPs Emma Rafowicz and Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus (S&D) have raised concerns that the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery could harm Europe's film ecosystem, warning of reduced competition, fewer films, and weaker bargaining power for independent producers. In a parliamentary question submitted on 3 June 2026, they ask the European Commission to assess the merger's impact on market concentration, film diversity, and the viability of Europe's creative industries.
The MEPs specifically request that the Commission seek an opinion from the European Board for Media Services under Article 23 of the European Media Freedom Act, and urge that any approval be conditional on commitments to protect theatrical exclusivity windows, cultural diversity, and fair commercial terms. They further ask whether the Commission would consider blocking the merger if adequate remedies cannot be secured.
The question reflects growing unease among EU lawmakers about the concentration of power in global media markets and its spillover effects on smaller European producers and distributors. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its response will signal its approach to merger control in the audiovisual sector amid broader debates on digital sovereignty and cultural protection.