Here’s Looking at You, Hollywood

There’s no industry as iconically California as the entertainment industry. It’s baked into California’s DNA. It’s a cornerstone of our identity, culture, and economy. And it’s part of the reason why California is the 4^th largest economy in the world.

It’s no surprise then, that over recent decades, other states and countries have worked hard to get in on the action. Afterall, “As California goes…” stuck around for a reason.

Which means we’ve got to work harder to keep Hollywood — our workers, artists, creatives, and productions — here in California.

I am grateful that many of my colleagues, from Governor Gavin Newsom to Senator Adam Schiff to leaders in Congress and the State Legislature, agree and are committed to doing all we can as a state to keep film and TV productions in California.

Today I had the opportunity to attend a spotlight hearing held by Senator Schiff about this very issue. Senator Schiff and Representatives Laura Friedman, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and Lou Correra discussed the work they’re leading in D.C. to fight for our entertainment industry. Actor Noah Wyle spoke about the impact his hit show, The Pitt, has had on the Los Angeles region as a proof point for why keeping productions in Hollywood makes economic sense. We also had the opportunity to hear testimony from Matt Loeb, President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, journalist Jim Acosta, and Jax Deluca, Executive Director of the Future Film Coalition.

As Attorney General of California, my role in this comes down to fairly enforcing our nation-leading antitrust laws, consumer protection laws, and workers’ rights.

A job that’s become more increasingly critical ever since President Trump returned to office and abdicated the federal administration’s responsibilities to hold big corporations accountable to the law and protect a competitive marketplace.

Just this week, a coalition of Attorneys General and I sued to stop a megamerger between two broadcasting giants — Nexstar and TEGNA. The president has urged this deal go through, despite the fact that it breaks the law, and will undeniably cut competition, raise prices, reduce local news and sports offerings, and result in fewer broadcast jobs.

Then we’ve got Hollywood’s hottest topic: the Paramount and Warner Brothers proposed merger.

Let me be clear: This is not a done deal.

Paramount and Warner Brothers haven’t cleared regulatory scrutiny. My office has an open investigation into it and we are being vigorous in our review.

The impact of this potential merger would be enormous. It could hamper competition, drive down wages, jack up prices, reduce the number of shows and films produced each year, result in job losses, and hurt content quality.

The American people deserve a robust entertainment, sports, and news ecosystem. They deserve choice — choice in what the content is, how they get it, who creates it. And they deserve content that rises to the top because of what it offers, not because of back door deals.

We cannot stand by and allow let a couple of mega corporations currying favor with the President to control the pipeline of content development and delivery.

It’s no accident that California is the fourth largest economy in the world.

We didn’t get here in spite of our commitment to antitrust laws, consumer protection laws, and workers’ rights. We got here because of it.

We got here because we’re committed to a competitive economy where the best products, services, and content win out. We got here because of the homegrown creatives, workers, and businesses that bring our favorite movies and TV shows to the screen.

California’s proof that you can have some of the strongest laws on the books AND one of the strongest economies in the world AND be home to one of the most impactful industries there’s ever been.

As Attorney General, it’s my responsibility to make sure all of that continues to be true. I will.