Antitrust challenges threaten to push Paramount–WBD merger past the September closing

A coalition of 12 state attorneys general filed suit to block Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery and asked for a temporary restraining order to pause the merger while antitrust litigation proceeds. Even though the DOJ approved the deal earlier, UK and EU reviews continue, and separate consumer and Writers Guild lawsuits add pressure. If a TRO is granted, the closing could be delayed by two to three weeks or longer, jeopardizing Paramount’s September target. Paramount argues the merger would be pro-competitive and has a ticking fee to incentivize timely completion, with the company saying it would appeal any halt—potentially up to the Supreme Court. The dispute also raises questions about CNN’s ownership within the merged entity.