Hollywood's Golden Age Antitrust Targets Fuel Wall Street's M&A Feeding Frenzy

Hollywood writers are calling for lawmakers and regulators to investigate the deals of Netflix, Disney, and Amazon, fearing that media conglomerates will gain control of the industry and stifle creativity and choice. However, recent court rulings have favored vertical mergers, leading to speculation of more mergers and acquisitions in the media and entertainment industry. The government has struggled to prove that vertical acquisitions suppress competition, and companies like Microsoft have found ways to navigate regulatory scrutiny through agreements and commitments. Despite new guidance signaling deeper scrutiny of non-competing company mergers, executives may not be concerned without a major court win for regulators.