(intense music)
(Dramatic music)
- [Narrator] For fans of the "Stargate" franchise,
waiting for a new show
is becoming a long series of false starts.
Teenagers who got hooked on "SG-1" and "Atlantis"
back in the early 2000s are now in their thirties.
And fans who were busy raising families
and sneaking in episodes after putting their kids to bed
are now sending those kids off to college.
When we lost "Stargate Universe" in 2011,
fans figured it wouldn't take long
for the valuable and beloved science-fiction property
to come back again.
So in 2014, MGM announced a movie trilogy.
And in 2017,
we got the "Stargate Command" streaming service.
In 2018, we got the "Stargate Origins" webisodes.
And in 2019 "Stargate" television co-creator Brad Wright
announced that he was talking with MGM
about making a new "Stargate" series.
All of these potential revivals were false starts,
and the fandom found itself in despair,
thinking MGM was the one holding the series back,
and wondering if the studio was even capable
of even getting new "Stargate" made again.
So when the sale of MGM to Amazon
was announced in May, 2021,
it was like that moment at the end of the "Wizard of Oz,"
where everyone is singing "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead"
♪ Ding-dong, the witch is dead ♪
- Fam, fam, that's enough.
Play the other one.
- [Narrator] Without MGM to hold it down,
"Stargate" would have a chance
to begin again under Amazon.
While "James Bond" and "Rocky"
were getting all of the headlines,
it was us "Stargate" fans who were really getting the win.
The studio hadn't stopped making movies,
but they had totally neglected
one of the best science fiction franchises of all time.
But thanks to Federal Trade Commission Chair, Lina Khan,
the citizens of Oz have stopped singing,
and are now afraid the wicked witch
might not be dead at all.
And if the MGM sale to Amazon doesn't go through,
you can bet a thousand flying monkeys,
we won't be seeing a new "Stargate" series anytime soon.
Does that mean all hope is lost
or is there light somewhere over the rainbow?
You don't wanna miss this episode.
- We should check it out.
- Okay, Meredith
- [Narrator] Also, make sure you state tuned
until later in the show
where we'll be showing you
why Surfshark VPN makes an excellent partner
for giving you control of your internet experience
across the globe.
And if you haven't already subscribed to our channel,
please do so now.
And give us a thumbs up if you want more news
about your favorite shows.
Also, click the notification bell to never miss an episode.
And make sure you stay tuned to the end
to see how to get this awesome "Stargate"
No Place Like Home-inspired graphic design
from the amazing artist at mixedtees.com.
It was easy to assume the purchase of MGM by Amazon
would be under heavy scrutiny by the FTC.
Amazon is a ravenous global dominating business
whose hunger wasn't satiated after gobbling up
more than 50% of global retail sales in 2021.
It also dominates web hosting, grocery stores,
publishing, video game streaming,
shipping services, Video On Demand,
And now TV and movie studio streaming.
34 groups from the Writers Guild of America West,
to Public Citizens who demand progress
have already appealed to the FTC
to block Amazon's purchase of MGM
out of fear of the e-commerce giant's growing dominance.
These complaints were expected,
however, recent news that the FTC
is gearing up for a potential antitrust lawsuit
in an attempt to block the purchase
is a step with rare precedents.
According to theinformation.com,
people familiar with the situation
are reporting that the FTC
is indeed exploring a lawsuit action
that would include hiring expert witnesses.
A decision to file the lawsuit will be made
in the next few weeks according to the insiders.
So why would the FTC do this?
Stopping Amazon from acquiring MGM
would fulfill a key objective of FTC chair Lina Khan,
who has been a vocal critic
of Amazon's expanding power.
- Khan. - Khan.
- Khan.
- Khan! (ominous music)
Khan!
- [Narrator] Prior to her appointment as the FTC chair,
she made public statements about the company,
including a statement
that Amazon is guilty of antitrust violations,
and should be broken up.
These strong words would sound the alarm for Amazon
when she was appointed the FTC chair.
In response, Amazon filed a motion with the FTC,
requesting Khan's recusal.
Hoping to ban her from decision making
because of her obvious bias against Amazon.
Their appeal was turned down.
Senator Elizabeth Warren also sent a letter to Khan,
requesting the FTC conduct a broad and meticulous review
of the MGM deal.
So on July 9th,
the FTC began a review
which appears to be resulting in a potential lawsuit now.
But despite the FTC throwing everything they have at Amazon,
"Stargate" fans have more on their side than they realize.
The FTC has a couple really big problems
working against them.
But before we break that down for you,
let me quickly tell you why Surfshark VPN
is going to change the way you surf the internet.
There are no days off
when it comes to connecting to the internet.
And because this is where we work, pay our bills,
and connect with loved ones,
safety and security
are two of the most important things to us.
This is why we use Surfshark VPN
for our all in one solution.
Surfshark turns you into an anonymous
and hard to trace online user,
and makes the internet a safer
and more enjoyable place for everyone.
With the click of a button,
you can forget about data mining
and intrusive advertisements.
Need access to different content on Disney Plus and Netflix
because of geo-blocking?
Surfshark gives you all the access you need.
The online world is like a vast and dangerous ocean.
Why not swim with the shark?
Surfshark VPN will help you safely navigate
everything you do online.
And now, Surfshark VPN is extending a special offer to you.
Don't miss this limited-time offer
to protect your online experience.
Go to surfshark.deals/thepopcast,
and enter promo code, THEPOPCAST,
to get 83% off, plus three extra months free.
Surfshark offers a 30-day money back guarantee,
so there's no risk.
Surf with your own set of rules.
The link is in the description below
- Amazon.ca, what's the website for that?
- [Narrator] Now for some good news,
and a reason we think "Stargate" fans
can breathe a sigh of relief.
The FTC is currently deadlocked at a two-two vote,
down party lines,
and would need a majority to file the lawsuit.
That fifth member will be Alvaro Bedoya, eventually.
But the President Biden nominee has been in limbo
in the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
which oversees the FTC.
- You know how I know how hard it is.
- [Narrator] The insiders close to the case
believe Bedoya would vote for the lawsuit,
but Khan and her two-two vote is running out of time.
Bedoya would be critical to filing a case,
but it is unclear if he will join the commission in time
to file a lawsuit.
The Senate Commerce Committee panel
was recently deadlocked, 14-14,
over Bedoya's nomination,
likely as a result of his past tweet
that described the 2016 Republican National Convention
as a White supremacist rally.
- It's racist.
- [Narrator] There is no telling how long it will take
to get Bedoya confirmed.
And with the European Commission
about to make a decision on the deal,
Khan and her lawsuit are running out of time.
But even if a lawsuit is filed,
the FTC will have an uphill battle.
The Department of Justice
sued to block AT&T's takeover of Time Warner
based on a similar theory.
They would end up losing in court in 2019.
The DOJ also declined to investigate a merger
of direct competitors WarnerMedia and Discovery.
Which included a significantly larger amount
of video content than what MGM holds.
The reality is that while Amazon is a huge business
trying to own large sections of various markets,
its acquisition of MGM
will not make it a streaming monopoly.
Amazon faces stiff competition for consumer dollars
from Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, HBO Max,
Paramount Plus, and Peacock among others.
- Have you ever watched Sunday night programming on HBO?
It's spectacular.
- [Narrator] And this eight and a half billion dollar sale
is very small relative to other Hollywood studio deals
that have gone down lately
AT&T spent $85 billion on Time Warner,
and Disney bought Fox for $71.3 billion.
This purchase is not only a drop in the corporate bucket,
but it doesn't remotely give Amazon an edge
over other streaming companies.
It's difficult to imagine the courts
would rule against the sale
just because Amazon is making the purchase
when there is no historical judicial precedence to do so.
While we strongly believe Amazon would win
any trip to court over this deal,
the reality is that a lawsuit would greatly extend the time
before Amazon could own MGM,
and perhaps longer to launch a new "Stargate" series.
And that is not something we want to happen.
The FTC has been trying to build a case
against Amazon for three years now.
For the sake of our franchise,
let's hope they let this acquisition go through,
and continue to build their case
against the e-commerce giant through other avenues.
So where does this leave "Stargate" fans?
Brad Wright is still waiting for the green light
with the script, actors, and producers
ready to get to work on a new series.
Amazon will understand the benefit
of having a ready to go team
and a starving fan base ready to throw their money
at a prime video subscription.
Let's hope this is only a minor speed bump
on the road to a new Brad Wright "Stargate" series.
For now, we'll have to wait and see.
What do you think?
Do you think the FTC is right about Amazon
or should they just knock it off already
and give us our "Stargate?"
Is anyone shocked that politics are once again
getting in the way?
- Politics, man.
Culture of fear wins again.
- [Narrator] Let's talk about it in the comments below.
Also, check out this incredible
"Stargate" No Place Like Home-inspired graphic design
from the amazing artist at mixedtees.com.
Get 20% off your purchase
by using coupon code, THEPOPCAST.
The link is in the description below.
- Excellent, my first order of business,
get me one of those cool jackets.
Extra large, double extra large if you got it.
- [Narrator] Hungry for more current pop culture news?
Then make sure you head over and subscribe
to the "Popcast Unleashed" for daily content.
Hear us talk about all of your favorite things.
Click on the link in the description below.
Until next time.
Don't want the show to end?
Become a Popcast member by hitting the Join button
to get exclusive content,
including special member live streams,
Discord privileges,
behind the scenes access,
and so much more.
Click Join and let's hang out.
(dramatic music)