Paramount’s $110B bid for WBD moves toward shareholder approval

Paramount’s $110 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery is headed to a shareholder vote later this week, with the board and proxy advisers urging approval as the deal faces antitrust scrutiny and industry backlash. If approved, the combination would be debt-laden and could trigger restructuring, layoffs, and regulatory concessions in the U.S. and Europe. The deal includes a ticking fee if closing slips past Sept. 30, and Paramount executives argue the merger would strengthen competition and opportunities for creators and audiences, despite opposition from actors, writers and directors. After the vote, Paramount’s Ellison will attend a Washington dinner tied to the White House correspondents’ association, highlighting ongoing political and regulatory attention.