Los Angeles could lose thousands of film and television jobs if Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery moves forward.
A new economic study estimates that approximately 4,500 direct film and TV jobs in Los Angeles County could be at risk over three years as the two major entertainment companies combine operations.
The report, prepared by CVL Economics, warns that consolidation could reduce the number of buyers for television and film projects, shrink development opportunities for creators, eliminate overlapping jobs, and potentially accelerate the movement of productions away from California.
For actors, crew members, writers, producers, and other entertainment professionals, the findings add to growing concerns about Hollywood’s shrinking production workforce.
Study Estimates 4,500 Film and TV Jobs Could Be Lost
According to the study, the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger could result in the loss of roughly 4,500 direct entertainment jobs in Los Angeles County over a three-year period.
That number is significant because California has already experienced a major decline in film and television employment.
The report says the 4,500 jobs represent nearly 9% of the approximately 52,016 film and television jobs California has lost since 2022.
Almost all of those losses — approximately 99.6% — reportedly occurred in Los Angeles County.
The numbers underscore how dramatically Hollywood’s employment landscape has changed in recent years.
Why Could the Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Cost Jobs?
The report identifies several reasons why a combined Paramount-Warner Bros. could reduce employment.
The biggest issue is consolidation.
When two major entertainment companies merge, overlapping departments can be combined or eliminated.
That may affect areas such as:
Production
Development
Marketing
Distribution
Finance
Legal
Human resources
Technology
Studio operations
There could also be fewer buyers for movies and television shows.
Paramount and Warner Bros. currently operate as separate studios that develop and acquire projects independently.
If they become one company, writers, producers, filmmakers, and creators could potentially have one fewer major buyer competing for their work.
Nearly 900 Creators With Overall Deals Could Be Affected
The report also raises concerns about creators who currently have exclusive agreements with Paramount or Warner Bros.
Approximately 895 creators reportedly hold exclusive deals across the two companies.
These agreements can include writers, producers, showrunners, filmmakers, and other creative professionals who develop projects specifically for a studio.
A merger could result in fewer development opportunities if the combined company reduces its overall production slate.
That does not necessarily mean every deal would disappear, but consolidation could increase competition for fewer projects.
Production Could Continue Moving Away From California
Another major concern is production flight.
Los Angeles has long been considered the center of the film and television industry, but production has increasingly moved to other states and countries.
Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Texas, New Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have all become attractive production destinations.
Tax incentives and lower production costs can make those locations more financially appealing to studios.
The report warns that a Paramount-Warner Bros. combination could accelerate this trend.
Even if the merged company promises to produce a large number of films each year, there is no guarantee those projects would be filmed in California.
Only One Paramount and Warner Bros. Production Filmed in California in 2025, Study Says
One of the study’s most striking findings involves recent production activity.
According to the report, only one production from Paramount and Warner Bros. combined filmed in California during 2025.
That raises questions about whether future movies and television series produced by the combined company would actually benefit California workers.
A studio can maintain headquarters in Los Angeles while filming projects elsewhere.
For local actors and crew members, where the production happens matters just as much as where the company is headquartered.
More Than 10,000 “Job Years” Could Be at Risk
The report estimates the total impact could extend well beyond the 4,500 direct film and television positions.
Approximately 10,360 job years could potentially be affected.
A job year generally represents one full-time job supported for one year.
The study includes:
- 4,500 direct entertainment jobs
- Approximately 2,661 indirect jobs at businesses supporting production
- Approximately 3,204 induced jobs in industries such as hospitality, retail, and services
This demonstrates how film production affects more than actors and crew.
When a production shoots in Los Angeles, money is also spent on:
Hotels
Restaurants
Transportation
Equipment rentals
Catering
Construction
Security
Dry cleaning
Retail
Local vendors
The entertainment economy supports thousands of workers who may never step onto a movie set.
Economic Impact Could Reach Billions
The study estimates that the merger could potentially put approximately:
$1.3 billion in wages at risk
$2.8 billion in economic value at risk
$4.1 billion in total business output at risk
$547 million in tax revenue at risk
That reportedly includes approximately $78.6 million in local tax revenue.
These figures illustrate why the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger has become more than a corporate finance story.
It could affect the broader Los Angeles economy.
Los Angeles Could Be Hit Hardest
The report argues that Los Angeles County may experience a greater impact than other regions because so many overlapping entertainment jobs are concentrated there.
Both Paramount and Warner Bros. have major operations in Southern California.
Paramount’s historic studio lot is located on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, while Warner Bros. operates its major studio complex in Burbank.
Combining departments from two major studios could create substantial overlap.
In a merger, companies typically look for areas where duplicated positions can be eliminated to reduce costs.
That is one reason layoffs are often expected following large media mergers.
Paramount Has Also Threatened to Leave California
The study arrives as Paramount CEO David Ellison has reportedly warned that the company could begin moving operations outside California if legal challenges to the Warner Bros. Discovery merger are not resolved.
According to previous reports, Paramount has considered states such as:
Georgia
Texas
Tennessee
as potential destinations.
If Paramount were to relocate significant operations while also reducing overlapping positions following the merger, the impact on California’s entertainment workforce could become even greater.
What This Means for Actors
Actors are unlikely to feel the effects of a studio merger only through corporate layoffs.
The bigger issue is the number of productions being made.
If the combined company develops fewer movies or television shows, there may be fewer:
Lead roles
Guest-star roles
Co-star roles
Day-player opportunities
Background acting jobs
Stand-in jobs
Photo double opportunities
Voiceover roles
Even small reductions in production volume can affect thousands of performers.
For actors trying to build sustainable careers, production volume matters.
More projects mean more auditions.
Fewer projects mean more competition for every available role.
What This Means for Film and TV Crew
Crew members could be even more directly affected.
Large productions employ hundreds of people across departments such as:
Camera
Lighting
Sound
Wardrobe
Hair and makeup
Transportation
Locations
Production design
Set construction
Props
Post-production
Visual effects
Production management
If productions continue leaving California, many crew professionals may have to decide whether to relocate, travel for work, or pursue opportunities in other industries.
Some experienced California workers have already begun following productions to other states.
Could Georgia, Texas, and Other States Benefit?
What could be bad news for Los Angeles may create opportunities elsewhere.
Georgia already has one of the most developed production ecosystems in the United States outside California.
Texas is investing more heavily in production incentives.
New Jersey has attracted major studio projects.
New Mexico continues to expand its entertainment infrastructure.
If Paramount or Warner Bros. shifts more productions to those states, local actors and crew members could see increased opportunities.
For Project Casting users, this is why tracking production geography matters.
Entertainment careers are becoming less concentrated in Hollywood.
The Broader Problem Facing Hollywood
The merger is only one part of a much larger challenge facing Los Angeles.
California has been dealing with:
Production moving out of state
Fewer scripted television series
Streaming companies reducing spending
Studio restructuring
Layoffs
Higher production costs
Competition from international markets
The result has been a difficult environment for many working professionals.
Hollywood may still be the symbolic center of entertainment, but production dollars increasingly move wherever the economics make sense.
What Project Casting Members Should Do
Actors, creators, and production professionals should avoid assuming opportunities will always be concentrated in one market.
Instead:
Keep your profile updated.
Monitor casting calls in multiple states.
Stay aware of where major productions are filming.
Keep your resume and reel current.
Consider local-hire opportunities.
Build relationships with productions outside Los Angeles.
Develop transferable skills for digital and creator-led productions.
The entertainment industry is changing quickly.
Being flexible can create opportunities even when one market is slowing down.
Final Thoughts
The proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger could have significant consequences for Los Angeles’ entertainment workforce.
A new economic study estimates that approximately 4,500 direct film and television jobs could be at risk, along with thousands of additional jobs supported by production spending.
The report also highlights a broader challenge facing Hollywood: fewer productions are remaining in California, while competing states continue attracting studio investment.
For actors and production workers, this is not just a corporate merger story.
It is about where movies and television shows will be made, how many projects will be produced, and where the next generation of entertainment jobs will exist.
Hollywood is changing.
The smartest move for talent is to pay attention to where the work is going.
Find casting calls, film jobs, television opportunities, and production work across the United States at ProjectCasting.com.
FAQ About the Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger and Film Jobs
How many Los Angeles film jobs could be lost?
A new CVL Economics study estimates approximately 4,500 direct film and television jobs in Los Angeles County could be at risk over three years.
Why would the merger eliminate jobs?
Paramount and Warner Bros. have overlapping corporate, studio, production, and development operations. Combining the companies could result in layoffs and fewer projects being developed.
How many entertainment jobs has California lost?
The report says California has lost approximately 52,016 film and television jobs since 2022.
Are most of those job losses in Los Angeles?
According to the study, approximately 99.6% of California’s film and television job losses since 2022 occurred in Los Angeles County.
Could creators be affected?
Yes. The report says approximately 895 creators currently have exclusive deals across Paramount and Warner Bros., and consolidation could reduce development opportunities.
Could productions move out of California?
Yes. The report warns that consolidation could accelerate production moving to states and countries offering lower costs or stronger incentives.
Which states could benefit?
Georgia, Texas, New Jersey, New Mexico, and other production markets could benefit if more studio projects move away from California.
What does this mean for actors?
Fewer productions can mean fewer auditions and greater competition for roles. However, actors living in growing production markets may see new opportunities.
What does it mean for film crews?
Crew members could face fewer California jobs while potentially seeing more opportunities in other states where production is expanding.
Where can actors and crew find production opportunities?
Actors, creators, and entertainment professionals can search for casting calls and production jobs at ProjectCasting.com.
