Part 5/10:
A significant segment discusses how corporate consolidation—particularly the Warner Brothers and Netflix merger— is setting the stage for further project cancellations and layoffs. The merger is already impacting animation slates, with many projects being shelved or outright canceled, including promising shows like Lara of the Stars, Adventure Time, and Starfire.
Neon explains that major companies like Netflix and Paramount are consolidating animation under fewer, larger entities. This trend favors financial metrics over creative output, with streamers relying more on existing IP like SpongeBob or Batman rather than investing in new and risky projects. Consequently, new original content without proven returns faces an uphill battle or is canceled altogether.