Paramount Weighs Concessions to Finalize Warner Bros. Merger, CNN Editorial Protections in Play

Paramount is negotiating with 12 state attorneys general to settle a lawsuit aiming to block its $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, considering concessions such as ensuring CNN's editorial independence and divesting Comedy Central (and possibly other cable assets). A daily fee of about $7 million could apply if the deal isn’t closed by Oct. 1, and a settlement would clear the path to the merger ahead of a March trial, with California officials urging a resolution amid concerns about media consolidation.