Bonta Says Paramount’s California Exit Is Ellison’s Call
California Attorney General Rob Bonta frames Paramount’s threat to exit California over the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery antitrust fight as a decision owned by Paramount’s founder, David Ellison. The piece notes Bonta’s critique of the DOJ’s review, emphasis on protecting consumers and jobs, and mentions potential concessions (such as selling WBD cable networks and keeping the studios’ operations separate) as settlement talks and a March trial loom. A bond dispute—Paramount’s requested $1.88 billion bond—faces a September 24 ruling. Ellison has signaled willingness to stay, but has previously threatened to relocate to states like Tennessee or Texas if California remains untenable. The situation sits amid high-stakes antitrust litigation and ongoing settlement talks.