LOS ANGELES COUNTY — A job-year is defined in the report as the equivalent of one full-time job lasting one year. The report estimates that approximately 4,500 direct film and television jobs in Los Angeles County could be lost over a three-year period.

The analysis further breaks down the employment risks by sector and economic linkage. The report estimates that 2,661 indirect jobs at small businesses supporting production, such as prop houses, printers, and transportation companies, could be affected. Additionally, the report estimates that 3,204 additional jobs tied to spending by entertainment workers in the local economy could be affected.

Financial projections in the document outline substantial potential losses across multiple metrics. The report estimates potential losses of $1.26 billion in wages. The report estimates potential losses of $2.78 billion in economic value. The report estimates potential losses of $4.06 billion in total business output.

Public revenue streams are also vulnerable to the consolidation. The report estimates that $547 million in tax revenue could be at risk, including $78.6 million in local tax revenue. The report was prepared by CVL Economics.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath introduced the motion for this study earlier in the year. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the study in March following a motion introduced by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath on March 17. A 60-day interim report was submitted to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in June.

That earlier interim analysis focused on different aspects of corporate overlap. The interim report estimated that 2,495 corporate jobs in the greater Los Angeles region could be affected by consolidation, primarily in IT, real estate, marketing, and other overlapping functions.

Legal challenges to the transaction have progressed through federal and state channels. The U.S. Department of Justice closed its review and approved the transaction on June 12. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit in July seeking to block the acquisition on antitrust grounds.

The states' lawsuit alleges illegal market concentration in theatrical distribution and basic cable distribution. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated the merger is "unlawful" "and said it would lead to" "higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat in the U.S."

The company outlined specific investment targets intended to mitigate job losses. A Paramount spokesperson stated: "Our plan to invest $30 billion annually in production and release at least 30 films a year is how we regain that ground: more production that supports more jobs over time, and ultimately, a stronger, more durable entertainment industry for generations to come." The proposed merger is valued at $111 billion.

Other industry stakeholders have also initiated legal action regarding the deal. The Writers Guild of America filed a lawsuit arguing that the deal will lead to fewer opportunities for writers to sell their projects.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath stated: "This report confirms what we feared: 4,500 direct film and television jobs, more than 10,000 total job-years, and $4.06 billion in business output are at risk." She emphasized the historical context of recent employment trends in the region. Supervisor Lindsey Horvath stated: "Los Angeles has already lost too many jobs, too much production, and too many people who make this industry possible. We cannot afford to lose another generation of Hollywood workers." The report notes that the average number of motion picture jobs in Los Angeles County reached a nadir in 2025 at 93,263, down nearly 36 percent from 2022.

The broader creative economy in the county provides context for these potential losses. The report states that Los Angeles County's creative economy supports more than 312,000 workers, including about 171,155 entertainment-sector jobs. The report cites data indicating that California has lost 52,016 film and television jobs since 2022, with 99.6% of those losses occurring in Los Angeles County.

Production activity metrics show recent declines as well. The report cites FilmLA data showing that on-location production activity in Los Angeles County fell 16% in 2025 compared with 2024. Los Angeles County is developing a workforce response plan using its 18 America's Job Centers of California and other programs to assist potentially displaced workers.

What's New

A Paramount spokesperson stated: "L.A. County’s own economic report underscores what we have been saying all along: our industry is in decline, production is down and jobs are being lost — and lost for good if we don’t act." The report estimated that $4.06 billion in business output could be at risk as a result of the Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

A trial to determine the merits of the lawsuit seeking to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger is scheduled for March 2027, as stated in the county report.

How Sources Differ

Regarding report business output risk, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath stated: "This report confirms what we feared: 4,500 direct film and television jobs, more than 10,000 total job-years, and $4.06 billion in business output are at risk."

Regarding report total business output, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath stated: "This report confirms what we feared: 4,500 direct film and television jobs, more than 10,000 total job-years, and $4.06 billion in business output are at risk." The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and LA County Film Office stated that the report estimates potential losses of $4.06 billion in total business output.

Regarding paramount spokesperson stated production jobs industry, variety.com reported that a Paramount spokesperson stated: "Our plan to invest $30 billion annually in production and release at least 30 films a year is how we regain that ground: more production that supports more jobs over time, and ultimately, a stronger, more d" and a Paramount spokesperson stated: "L.A. County’s own economic report underscores what we have been saying all along: our industry is in decline, production is down and jobs are being lost — and lost for good if we don’t act."

Regarding county report jobs lost, and a Paramount spokesperson stated: "L.A. County’s own economic report underscores what we have been saying all along: our industry is in decline, production is down and jobs are being lost — and lost for good if we don’t act." The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and LA County Film Office stated that the report estimates that approximately 4,500 direct film and television jobs in Los Angeles County could be lost over a three-year period.

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and LA County Film Office stated that the report cites data indicating that California has lost 52,016 film and television jobs since 2022, with 99.6% of those losses occurring in Los Angeles County.

Regarding report paramount skydance warner bros discovery, the desk_web reported that the report estimated that $4.06 billion in business output could be at risk as a result of the Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and LA County Film Office stated that the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the LA County Film Office released a final report on the potential economic impact of the proposed Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

Why It Matters

The report shows the scale of the local entertainment ecosystem, noting that Los Angeles County's creative economy supports more than 312,000 workers, including about 171,155 entertainment-sector jobs. With California having lost 52,016 film and television jobs since 2022, 99.6% of which occurred in Los Angeles County, the potential loss of 10,360 job-years represents a significant portion of an already contracting labor market.

The financial stakes extend beyond employment to public revenue, with $547 million in tax revenue at risk. As legal challenges proceed, with a trial scheduled for March 2027, the outcome will determine whether the $111 billion merger proceeds or if regulatory interventions preserve the current market structure during declining production activity.