UK Clears Paramount-Warner Merger With Safeguards For UK Content

Britain’s CMA cleared Paramount’s $81 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery, saying it won’t substantially lessen UK competition, provided Paramount commits to safeguards that preserve Channel 5’s editorial independence, keep CBS/CNN separate from UK channels, and prohibit merging linear and on-demand services in the UK. DCMS will monitor compliance with annual statements. The deal—still facing U.S. antitrust suits—has closing pushed into next year and is valued around $111 billion including debt, tying together assets like HBO Max, Harry Potter, CNN, CBS, Top Gun, and Paramount+.