Stark Picture Emerges of Paramount-Warner Bros. Job Loss Risk In L.A. County

Additionally, the County’s report also appears to take aim at one of the central argument’s that Paramount has been making to the industry. Namely, that it’s going to ramp up production to release a combined 30 movies a year and 170 television shows.

On Paramount’s early May earnings call, Ellison noted, “We are firmly committed to 30 theatrical films per year. If you look at the schedule, we have 15 films on the calendar to release this year, up from 8 last year.” The mogul signaled a franchise focus across film and TV, adding, “Under those studios will be some of the most beloved franchises of all times, including Harry Potter, Top Gun, Star Trek, Looney Tunes, Game of Thrones, Yellowstone.“

The economic department notes that while there’s a pledge to up production output, that may not benefit L.A. or even California due to the nature of the global race for tax incentives. The report points to the dearth of features produced in the Golden State last year.

“Of the nineteen Paramount and Warner Bros. theatrical releases in 2025 reviewed, only one film (One Battle After Another) was principally filmed in California (in Eureka), while the remainder were produced across a range of domestic and international locations including Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, New York, Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, Bulgaria, New Zealand, France, and South Africa,” the report states.

Notably, this assessment isn’t the final word from the County. The June 18 report was deemed the 60 Day check in. At 120 Days, about mid-August, the economic department is expected to deliver an analysis looking at the longer-term effects of how Paramount’s tie-up with Warner Bros. will impact the larger production landscape. It’s unclear, however, if the megadeal will be closed by then.