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California Ag

All articles tagged with #california ag

business18 days ago•19 min saved

Paramount-WBD Settlement Sparks Shock, Sets Stage for Mass Layoffs

Insiders were stunned by a settlement between Paramount Skydance, Warner Bros. Discovery and 12 state attorneys general over the Paramount-WBD merger, with critics saying the concessions are thin and no divestitures are required. As the deal nears a two-week closing window, executives warn of multiple rounds of layoffs in the fourth quarter as the merged company restructures, even as Paramount’s David Ellison asserts California will remain the base. The consent decree includes a $47.5 million workforce fund and CBS News layoff protections for five years, but critics say it provides limited leverage to curb downsizing, and television was notably underemphasized in the agreement.

via Variety|

#antitrust-settlement #business #california-ag

business21 days ago•21 min saved

Paramount in Preliminary Talks With State AGs Ahead of October Antitrust Settlement

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are in early settlement discussions with California AG Rob Bonta and 11 other states over the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger antitrust suit, ahead of a mid-October court-ordered settlement conference in San Francisco. The talks are preparatory and not at the principals’ level yet, with discussions focusing on setting an agenda and potential remedies; no deal is near, a March 2027 trial remains on the calendar, and after-hours stock moves have been modest.

via Deadline|

#antitrust #business #california-ag

business21 days ago•16 min saved

Paramount Nears Settlement to Blockbuster Merger Drive

Paramount Pictures and California Attorney General Rob Bonta are in advanced talks to settle a lawsuit over Paramount’s bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, with reports that the deal would keep the studios operating independently for a period and may include CNN monitoring and limits on theatrical releases; a resolution could come as soon as this weekend and would avert divestitures, a major win for Paramount CEO David Ellison who has warned of relocating the company if no agreement is reached. A ticking fee of $7 million per day could start Oct. 1, and talks remain confidential amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny and financing backing from Middle East sovereign wealth funds.

via The Hollywood Reporter|

#antitrust #business #california-ag

business24 days ago•16 min saved

Paramount, California AG, and WGA to Hold Settlement Talks Over Warner Merger

Paramount will sit down with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the Writers Guild of America for two straight days starting Oct. 14 to discuss a settlement to lawsuits challenging its $111 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, with lead negotiators authorized to settle and U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson overseeing the talks. Bonta has demanded structural remedies, while Paramount’s concessions so far include 30 movies with 45-day theatrical windows; the government wants costs borne by the states and WGA and a $1.88 billion bond if Paramount wins. They will file statements outlining positions ahead of the talks.

via The Hollywood Reporter|

#business #california-ag #paramount

business1 month ago•9 min saved

States’ antitrust push stalls Paramount-WBD deal ahead of trial

Paramount’s $110 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery is blocked by a states-led antitrust challenge led by California, with a March trial looming; despite global regulatory clearance, California and 11 other states seek structural remedies (potential divestitures of pay-TV assets) and have pressed for concessions such as 30 films per year and 45-day theatrical windows, while Paramount has floated relocation as a pressure tactic, keeping the deal uncertain amid ongoing talks and cost concerns from delays.

via CNBC|

#antitrust #business #california-ag