Court weighs pause on Paramount-Warner Bros. merger amid antitrust questions
TL;DR Summary
A California judge heard the states’ bid for a temporary restraining order to pause the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, with a ruling expected by next Wednesday; Paramount argued the deal isn’t anticompetitive, while the states warned it could raise prices and reduce output in theaters and basic cable. If granted, the TRO could delay the merger for up to 28 days. The case centers on market concentration and the risk of ‘unscrambling the egg’ if the deal proceeds, while Paramount faces a Sept. 30 payment cliff of about $7 million per day if the deal hasn’t closed, after promising not to close before July 22.
- Court Hears Argument on States’ Move to Pause Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Variety
- California AG Rob Bonta says a CNN spin-off wouldn’t resolve Paramount–WBD lawsuit CNN
- Paramount shareholder sues Ellisons, alleging ‘illegal’ Trump deal The Hill
- Paramount prevails in bid for new judge in federal antitrust case Los Angeles Times
- Democrats challenge a big Hollywood tie-up The Economist
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