Warner Bros., Amazon, Netflix, Comcast announce donations to Los Angeles fire rescue efforts

As multiple wildfires rage across Los Angeles County, studios are mobilizing their own responses. Following Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery pledged $15 million to support relief efforts, Amazon, Comcast and Netflix each donated $10 million, Sony pledged an additional $5 million, and Paramount Universal added an additional $1 million. .

Warner Bros. Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav, said through a spokesman that it was sending the funds to unspecified organizations “for immediate response and reconstruction efforts.” “Our studio has called Burbank home for more than 100 years and we are focused on what needs to be done to help those affected recover from this disaster,” a Warner Bros. Pictures representative said. and rebuild in the coming weeks, months and years.”

Netflix plans to direct donations to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Community Fund Wildfire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, Film and Television Fund, and Entertainment Community Fund.

“For many who are unfamiliar with Los Angeles, it conjures up images of palm trees and red carpets; mansions and movie stars. But for those of us who are lucky enough to call this city home, Los Angeles is so much more than that,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos wrote in a memo to employees on Monday. “This is a family of talented, hard-working people from all over the world and from all walks of life, many of whom come here to pursue their dreams.”

Sarandos added: “Today, for thousands of our friends, family, coworkers and neighbors, that dream feels a little out of reach. But one thing I see over and over again is that L.A. How people and Californians come together in times of crisis, and how we rebuild.”

Comcast, the Philadelphia-based studio giant that owns NBCUniversal and has a large presence in Los Angeles, will provide funds to the American Red Cross, the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Southern California Fire Fund and others. It will also donate $2.5 million to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles' ReBUILD LA program.

“We are deeply grateful for the tireless and courageous efforts of our first responders and to our news teams, including NBC4 and KVEA, who are providing critical reporting during this time. We remain available Ready to support our employees and the broader Los Angeles community as we recover and rebuild from these tragic events,” said Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts.

Amazon said it will donate $1,000 from its entertainment division, which includes Amazon MGM Studios in Culver City and Prime Video, to the Southern California Red Cross, FireAid, MusiCares fire rescue efforts, World Central Kitchen and the Los Angeles Fire Department. Ten thousand dollar foundation and so on.

On Monday afternoon, Sony said it would donate $5 million to unspecified groups to assist with relief efforts. “Los Angeles has been the home of our entertainment business for more than 35 years,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and President Hiroki Totoki said in a statement as they resume work in the coming days. Our condolences go out to those affected by this devastating situation. “

On January 10, Burbank-based Disney said it would donate $15 million to various relief efforts, with special funds earmarked for the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Los Angeles Area Food Bank and other organizations. “We are proud to be able to help this vibrant and dynamic community during this time of need,” said CEO Bob Iger.

Paramount Worldwide co-CEOs Brian Robbins, Chris McCarthy and George Cheeks wrote a memo to employees stating that the company would Donate $1 million to relief efforts. SAG-AFTRA, led by President Fran Drescher, also pledged $1 million to affected workers in its 160,000-member union.

Cal Fire estimates that the Palisades Fire has burned more than 23,700 acres as of Monday, while the Eaton Fire in Altadena has surpassed 14,000 acres and destroyed more than 12,300 structures. More than a dozen people died, thousands were evacuated, and homes and businesses were destroyed. Most film and television productions have been suspended as the county deals with the emergency.

The Biden administration declared a state of disaster on January 8, a day after California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency. The governor's office has since issued an executive order suspending some permitting rules for homeowners seeking to rebuild and on Monday unveiled a plan to reduce taxes by extending deadlines for affected businesses. “We are strong because of the diversity of our businesses, and we stand with them to provide relief and help them get through this difficult time,” Newsom said.

The economic toll from the fires has grown exponentially over the past few days, with media company Accuweather raising its damage estimate to over $250 billion from $52 billion a few days ago to $57 billion.

January 13, 7:33 pm Completely updated through additional donations from the studio.