Paramount’s Warner Merger Faces Legal Storm

A wave of lawsuits led by multistate attorneys general, the Writers Guild of America, Paramount+ subscribers, and investors challenges Paramount’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. A federal hearing in Oakland considered a temporary restraining order to block closing, with a ruling due by July 22; if the deal isn’t closed by Sept. 30, Paramount could face about $7 million per day in penalties. Paramount argues the merger would maintain vigorous competition and increase film/TV output, while plaintiffs say it would reduce competition and harm consumers and workers.