What is Hollywood to Do?

 Everyone is up in arms about Netflix buying WB.  I don't think either should be able to buy the company.  I have no say.  We need to go back to the Paramount Antitrust Decrees.  It says that those who create movies can not be the same as those who show those movies.  Back in the day, the movie corporations owned the movie theaters.  We are going in the same direction with streaming.  If I had to pick one, I would go with Netflix.  They currently do not own a production/film company.  They pay others to create for them.  They will not have as much duplication as Paramount will have.  If Paramount wins, there will be mass layoffs.  It will also mean fewer movies being released. Some will say no movies will be released in theaters if Netflix wins.  They say they will continue to release movies in theaters through WB.  Who are we to believe? Paramount says they will not fire people and that the Middle East partners will not control access.  I have a hard time believing that people who put up a large amount of money are not going to want something besides return on equity.  As you can see from WB Discovery, there was a decrease in that return. Another thing I have to point out for Hollywood, Oscar-bait movies are not doing well in theaters. Ella McCay was poised for an Oscar run.  After this weekend, I do not see it.  Look at current nominees for the early awards.  A good half are coming from streamers.  I just don't see how theaters will play a role in the Oscars, except for big-budget effects.  That is, unless the Oscars take over the MTV
 awards and start awarding best kiss, biggest box office take, biggest explosions, etc.