Benedict Cumberbatch has publicly opposed the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, calling on the UK government to prevent the deal from moving forward. Joining fellow actors Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong, Cumberbatch argued that the merger could have serious consequences for the UK’s film, television, and news industries. The three actors have urged the UK’s Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, to intervene before the merger receives final approval.
Benedict Cumberbatch explains why Paramount-Warner merger shouldn’t happen
Benedict Cumberbatch has publicly opposed the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, joining Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong in calling for government intervention in the United Kingdom. The actors argue that the planned deal could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s film, television, and news industries. They are urging officials to prevent it from moving forward.
The three actors set out their concerns in a joint opinion piece published by The Guardian. They appealed directly to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Cumberbatch, Cumming, and Wong have urged Nandy to move forward with a recent government intervention. They wrote, “Nandy has opened the door to intervention. She must walk through it, for the sake of everyone who makes UK television and film – and everyone who watches it.”
They continued, “If she does not, we will be left without the ability to protect our industry and our culture from this consolidation. We must not push the public’s interest aside; we must stand up for it and block this merger.” The actors warned that the merger could result in “redundancies, cancelled productions, fewer films commissioned and fewer risks taken.”
They also expressed concern that the merged company would control major news outlets. This includes 5 News, CNN International, and CBS News, giving a single owner significant influence over news distribution. “One owner controlling this much of the news, and the truth, endangers the public in a way no ordinary consolidation does,” they wrote.
Referring to reports that Paramount’s chief executive had promised Donald Trump “sweeping changes” at CNN if the merger proceeds, the actors added, “When the buyer of the world’s most trusted international news channel makes editorial promises to a politician, a British secretary of state is entitled – and, really, obliged – to ask questions before the ink dries.”
The trio concluded by arguing that government intervention could shape the future of British media for years to come. Their appeal follows the merger’s recent approval by the European Commission.
