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Board commissions fast‑track study of Warner Bros. acquisition’s local economic and workforce impacts
Summary
After questioning about recent major studio layoffs and threats to local production jobs, the Board directed a rapid 60‑ and 120‑day economic and workforce study of the Warner Bros. (and related) media mergers to inform comment to federal regulators; staff will sole‑source a consultant to meet the compressed timetable.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 5‑0 on March 24 to direct county staff to commission an expedited economic and workforce impact study of the proposed Warner Bros. acquisition and related industry consolidation, and to use the study to inform County comment to the U.S. Department of Justice and other regulators.
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the county needs a data‑driven basis for any formal comment on the merger and for planning responses to potential job losses that could ripple through ancillary businesses such as prop houses, caterers, dry cleaners and location services. County staff described layoffs tied to recent media consolidations — citing an estimated 2,000 jobs lost in a recent related merger — and explained that compressed timelines for DOJ comment make a rapid contractor engagement necessary to produce 60‑ and 120‑day reportbacks.
Several supervisors urged transparency about consultant selection; Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed reluctance over sole‑sourcing but acknowledged the time constraint. Staff estimated the study cost at roughly $100,000–$200,000 and said funding is available. Labor and entertainment industry stakeholders and workers testified during public comment, emphasizing threats to local jobs and calling for protections for the region’s creative workforce. The Board approved the motion and instructed County Counsel to circulate any formal comment letters for Board review before submission.
