We're used to reading about corporate mergers and acquisitions on specialized economics and business websites. However, in TV series available on a variety of streaming services, we can observe numerous cases of M&A and other market movements embedded in the main plot, demonstrating their impact on fictional companies.

These examples highlight some of the reasons that lead to a merger or acquisition of one company by another. In The Office, the paper retailer and central company of the plot, Dunder Mifflin, declared bankruptcy in 2009 (season 6). Facing serious management problems and loss-making subsidiaries, the company's operations were partially acquired by printer manufacturer Sabre, which sought to expand its paper distribution and consolidate synergy with its core business. Thus, Sabre took advantage of the paper retailer's economic weakness to acquire profitable assets for its own operation (allowing the Scranton branch to fully maintain its operations).

In TV series, we can also see the effects that occur after a merger. In Mad Men, the New York-based advertising agency Sterling Cooper and Putnam, Powell, and Lowe, a British advertising agency, merged in 1962. The effects of the merger are seen in the third season, with layoffs and a strong cultural clash between the companies, especially due to the regional differences they faced.

Finally, we can also see cases where, after an acquisition, the acquiring company makes changes to the acquired company that affect its previously successful operations. In "Succession," in Season 1 of the original series, the Waystar Royco conglomerate acquires the digital media company Vaulter in an attempt to stay current with changes in the media industry. However, Waystar makes significant changes to the acquired company, reducing the startup's operating segments and laying off producers, impacting the acquired company's operations.