Ari Emanuel
ON THE RECORD · 9 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“You know an antitrust case is trash when it ignores some of the fastest-growing competitors in the market,”
Ari Emanuel · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-28
Emanuel writes in his Wall Street Journal op-ed that the antitrust case against the Paramount-WBD merger ignores fast-growing competitors.
“You think I’m letting my client’s horror movie premiere on the same day as a MrBeast video? Or the release of the latest Call of Duty? Or when Netflix drops Wednesday? Think again,”
Ari Emanuel · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-28
Emanuel writes that studio theatrical releases compete with YouTube, video games, and streaming content, arguing the lawsuit's market definition is too narrow.
“The real threat to competition is what happens if the attorneys general succeed.”
Ari Emanuel · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-28
Emanuel argues in his op-ed that the real danger to competition would be if the attorneys general succeed in blocking the Paramount-WBD deal.
“say they are protecting competition. Their actions threaten to destroy it,”
Ari Emanuel · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-28
Emanuel warns in his Wall Street Journal op-ed that the state attorneys general's antitrust lawsuit against the Paramount-WBD merger threatens competition rather than protecting it.
“The attorneys general don’t get to ignore the platforms that compete every day for audiences, talent, capital and content just because it makes their case harder. Believe me, as somebody who’s in those rooms, every green light, marketing budget and release date is decided against the reality of that broadly competitive environment.”
Ari Emanuel · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-28
Emanuel insists that every green light, marketing budget, and release date is decided against a broadly competitive environment that includes digital platforms.
“pretend Amazon MGM, A24 and Lionsgate don’t exist and that Netflix isn’t leaning into theatrical films with its coming release of Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (which I suspect will whet its appetite for more).”
Ari Emanuel · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-28
Emanuel argues the lawsuit plaintiffs ignore major competitors like Amazon MGM, A24, Lionsgate, and Netflix's growing theatrical ambitions.
“This might have been a good argument in 2005 but is absurd in a world of fast-shrinking cable subscriptions and the rise of streaming, which has transformed both consumer behavior and the bargaining environment.”
Ari Emanuel · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-28
Emanuel contends the complaint's argument about cable network concentration uses a 'sleight of hand' that is outdated in the streaming era.
“get back to trying to rip each other’s heads off,”
Ari Emanuel · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-28
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Emanuel urges government regulators to let creatives get back to competing after backing the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
“But antitrust law can’t be a tool for settling arguments, whether wielded by a Democrat or Republican,”
Ari Emanuel · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-28
Emanuel, identifying himself as a lifelong Democrat, writes that antitrust law should not be used as a tool for settling political arguments.