The news that Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros in an $83bn deal has led to backlash among figures in and out of the entertainment industry.

Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic senator, called it “an anti-monopoly nightmare” in a statement released soon after the announcement.

“A Netflix-Warner Bros would create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market – threatening to force Americans into higher subscription prices and fewer choices over what and how they watch, while putting American workers at risk,” she said.

Her views were also shared by Pramila Jayapal, co-chair of the House Monopoly Busters Caucus.

“It would mean more price hikes, ads and cookie cutter content, less creative control for artists, and lower pay for workers,” she said. “The media industry is already controlled by a few corporations with too much power to censor free speech. The government must step in.”

The deal, which would bring titles including Harry Potter, The White Lotus, Superman and Game of Thrones, into the streamer’s already vast library was also criticised by the Directors Guild of America.

In a statement, the group said it raised “significant concerns” and they will be arranging a meeting with Netflix as soon as possible.

The Writers Guild of America also released a statement, calling for it to be stopped.

“The world’s largest streaming company swallowing one of its biggest competitors is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent,” the statement read. “The outcome would eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen conditions for all entertainment workers, raise prices for consumers, and reduce the volume and diversity of content for all viewers. Industry workers along with the public are already impacted by only a few powerful companies maintaining tight control over what consumers can watch on television, on streaming, and in theaters. This merger must be blocked.”

Ted Sarandos, a co-chief executive of Netflix, has said he is “highly confident” that the merger will go through without issue and has called the deal “pro-consumer, pro-innovation, pro-worker, pro-creator” an an investor call earlier this week.

James Cameron had already criticised the purchase earlier this week before it was made official. On industry podcast The Town, he said it “would be a disaster”.

The announcement comes after a number of other interested parties, including Paramount and Comcast, also entered discussions.

This year has seen a number of theatrical success stories for Warner Bros including Sinners, Superman, A Minecraft Movie, Weapons and Final Destination: Bloodlines.

“Netflix expects to maintain Warner Bros’ current operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films,” a statement from the streamer read this morning.

Sarandos added: “I think over time, I think the windows will evolve to be much more consumer friendly, to be able to meet the audience where they are, quicker … I’d say right now, you should count on everything that is planned on going to the theater through Warner Bros will continue to go to the theaters through Warner Bros.”