Judge Halts Paramount-Warner Merger, Orders 14-Day Pause

A federal judge issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking Paramount Skydance's $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery at the request of 12 state attorneys general, with an Aug. 3 hearing on a preliminary injunction; the states argue the deal would lessen competition in theatrical distribution, top-grossing releases, and basic cable distribution, while Paramount defends the merger and notes it has DOJ clearance and ticking-fee penalties if the deal isn't completed by Sept. 30.