In an opinion piece, Cory Jacobson, owner of the Phoenix Theatres cinema chain, argues that legal and regulatory opposition to the proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery could ultimately harm cinemas more than the deal itself. He contends that critics focus only on the risks of increased studio concentration while ignoring the consequences of blocking the merger, namely prolonged uncertainty over Warner Bros.' ownership and strategic direction, which could delay decisions on which films get made.

Jacobson draws on his roughly 50 years in exhibition, including founding Phoenix Theatres in 2000 and two decades at United Artists Theatres and Marcus Theatres, to argue that cinemas depend entirely on studios producing a steady supply of films. He notes that past disruptions, such as the pandemic and the Hollywood strikes, caused production gaps whose effects lingered for years, and warns that continued indecision at Warner Bros. could similarly leave future release calendars thin, since major films take years to develop and finance.