UK Streaming and Cinema Sector

Lord Black of Brentwood Excerpts

Monday 2nd March 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Black of Brentwood]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of recent developments in the UK’s streaming and cinema sector, in particular the impact of the bid by Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

[Lord Black of Brentwood (Con)]

My Lords, in begging leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, I declare my interest as deputy chairman of the Telegraph Media Group.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Twycross) (Lab)]

The way we consume entertainment is changing rapidly, driving greater consolidation in the streaming and entertainment markets. Cinemas and independent British content play a vital role in our communities, and DCMS works closely with the BFI and the UK Cinema Association to ensure that they continue to thrive. Given legal and commercial sensitivities, it would not be appropriate to comment on any live or potential merger involving Warner Bros. Discovery; should any transaction by any company progress, it would be up to the CMA to examine its implications for competition and consumers.

[Lord Black of Brentwood (Con)]

My Lords, noble Lords will be aware that on Friday, Netflix, doubtless terrified of the prospect of this Oral Question and the ferocious scrutiny of your Lordships’ House, withdrew its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery in favour of Paramount Skydance. Will the Minister join me in welcoming the news, which is good for British consumers, who will continue to benefit from choice in the streaming market, good for our world-class content creators and good for the British cinema industry, which is vital to our high streets? Will she also agree that the bid highlighted the importance of intellectual property and the strength of the UK’s copyright regime and confirm that the Government will continue to protect UK rights holders by ruling out any new copyright exemptions that would allow big tech to scrape UK content with impunity?