DOJ Clears Paramount-Warner Merger, Regulators Worldwide Lean In

The U.S. Department of Justice approved Paramount Global's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., stating the deal is unlikely to harm consumers or competition. However, California and New York state AGs plan antitrust suits to block the merger, and European regulators (EU Commission) and the UK's CMA are conducting investigations. The deal is financed in part by sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, attracting ongoing scrutiny ahead of any closure. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, argue the approval could consolidate Hollywood power, signaling a protracted regulatory path ahead.