Tag

Merger

All articles tagged with #merger

politics11 hours ago•16 min saved

Iowa AG Signals Supreme Court Fight Over Paramount-Warner Merger

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says she is suing California to challenge the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger and argues that any interstate regulatory dispute should be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, though it isn’t clear if she has filed a formal suit. The move comes amid a broader AG-led effort to block the deal; settlement talks were paused after California AG Rob Bonta canceled a planned meeting amid leaked information. Bird’s op-ed promotes streaming-competition and price benefits from the merger, while Paramount denies leaks and remains engaged in talks.

via Variety|

#california #iowa #merger

entertainment19 hours ago•18 min saved

Einbinder Defends Ruffalo in Antisemitism Row Over Paramount Merger

Hannah Einbinder, who is Jewish, publicly defended Mark Ruffalo after Paramount said his critique of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger invoked antisemitic tropes. Ruffalo had criticized actions tied to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and board member Safra Catz in connection with the deal, drawing a harsh response from Paramount that they do not tolerate prejudice. Einbinder argued that criticizing corporate power isn’t antisemitic and encouraged artists with a platform to speak out, while Ruffalo reiterated that his stance is political and not a condemnation of Jewish people.

via Variety|

#antisemitism #entertainment #hannah-einbinder

business1 day ago•3 min saved

California AG halts merger talks with Paramount amid leak accusations

California Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled a settlement meeting with Paramount Skydance in the antitrust case aiming to block Paramount’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, accusing Paramount of leaking details and misrepresenting discussions. Paramount denies leaking and says public disclosures are a concern. The multistate suit continues with a March trial; the merger has DOJ clearance and global approvals, and a ticking fee of about $7 million per day could apply if the deal isn’t closed by October 1, 2027. State leaders and the WGA are urging a resolution for workers and the industry.

via NBC News|

#antitrust #business #california

business2 days ago•16 min saved

California AG Ends Paramount Talks Over Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

California Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled planned settlement talks with Paramount in the state’s suit to block David Ellison’s $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal, accusing Paramount of bad faith and misrepresenting a prior discussion; with a coalition of 12 states backing the challenge, any settlement would require structural remedies like asset sales, ahead of an antitrust trial set for March.

via Variety|

#antitrust #business #california

entertainment2 days ago•17 min saved

Wiesenthal Center Chief Backs Paramount in Ruffalo Antisemitism Dispute

Jim Berk, CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, defends Paramount after Mark Ruffalo’s anti-merger remarks were labeled antisemitic by the studio, praising Paramount for rejecting prejudice in the high‑stakes merger debate. The piece recounts Ruffalo’s comments tying Oracle to Israel’s military and Paramount’s strong response, Ruffalo’s subsequent attempt to separate criticism of government policy from Jewish people, and calls from advocacy groups urging further action amid the heated exchange.

via The Hollywood Reporter|

#antisemitism #entertainment #mark-ruffalo

business2 days ago•4 min saved

Ruffalo rejects antisemitism label over Paramount‑Skydance merger critique

Actor Mark Ruffalo defends his critique of Paramount‑Skydance, insisting his posts about the merger and Oracle’s ties aren’t anti‑Jewish and that criticizing actions by executives and companies is not the same as targeting Jewish people; Paramount says using genocide or apartheid language in a business dispute crosses a line. The merger remains paused amid an antitrust suit by state attorneys general; Ruffalo argues the deal could concentrate control over CNN, HBO, and Warner Bros., threatening jobs and editorial freedom, and points to Oracle’s role via Safra Catz and Larry Ellison as part of his concerns.

via NBC News|

#antisemitism #business #mark-ruffalo

business3 days ago•335 min saved

Paramount, California AGs to negotiate over Warner Bros. Discovery merger

Paramount and a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general will begin settlement talks next week to resolve lawsuits blocking Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that includes CNN’s parent company. California AG Rob Bonta says any resolution must include robust structural remedies, a potential hurdle for agreement. The talks are part of a mediation order ahead of a March antitrust trial, even as Paramount seeks a $1.9 billion bond and lawmakers debate the merger’s implications for California.

via CNN|

#antitrust #business #merger

entertainment3 days ago•17 min saved

Ruffalo Pushes Back on Antisemitism Charge in Oracle-Paramount Merger Debate

Mark Ruffalo responded to Paramount’s accusation that his criticism of the Oracle Ellison family’s involvement in the proposed CNN/HBO/Warner Bros. merger was antisemitic, arguing that his points target corporate actions and technology — not Jewish people — and warning that the deal could have real consequences for livelihoods and editorial freedom; Paramount said antisemitic tropes are unacceptable and they do not tolerate prejudice.

via Variety|

#antisemitism #ellison #entertainment

business3 days ago•2 min saved

California AGs Weigh Settlement in Paramount-WBD Antitrust Case

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general are set to meet Paramount Skydance on Monday to discuss a potential settlement of the antitrust lawsuit aimed at blocking Paramount’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery; it’s unclear if talks will yield a deal, though officials have pressed for a settlement. While the DOJ cleared the merger and European regulators approved it, U.S. state officials argue the deal would reduce competition and threaten jobs. Bonta indicated the case would require robust structural remedies. Penalties in play include a ticking fee of about $650 million per quarter if the deal is delayed beyond Sept. 30, 2027, and a $7 billion breakup fee if the deal collapses, with the trial scheduled for March.

via CNBC|

#antitrust #business #california

world3 days ago•10 min saved

Ruffalo Sparks Backlash by Linking Oracle to Israel in Paramount Merger Drama

Actor Mark Ruffalo faced backlash after posting antisemitic tropes and accusing Israel of genocide, while tying Oracle’s tech with Israel to Paramount’s planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery; Paramount condemned the remarks, and Ruffalo’s opposition to the merger continues amid his ongoing anti-Israel stance.

via The Jerusalem Post|

#antisemitism #mark-ruffalo #merger

business3 days ago•63 min saved

Spectrum Takes Over Cox in Southern Nevada, Rebranding and Expanding Services

Charter Communications’ Spectrum is taking over Cox’s Southern Nevada operations, with Cox stores rebranded to Spectrum and Spectrum planning to roll out its full product lineup by mid-September. Starting Thursday, Cox Internet customers who don’t have Cox Mobile will receive a free year of mobile service; existing Cox pricing will stay for now, and Spectrum touts lower prices across internet, mobile, and video, plus benefits like HBO Max on select plans. Front-line Cox employees are protected with a starting wage of at least $20/hour and benefits, while some corporate roles may be eliminated; Charter expects about $500 million in annual cost savings within three years. Spectrum will remain the consumer-facing brand, with a corporate name change to Cox Communications anticipated within a year, as Spectrum’s Nevada footprint expands (including Spectrum SportsNet LA in Las Vegas).

via Las Vegas Review-Journal|

#business #merger #nevada

entertainment4 days ago•16 min saved

Paramount Pushes Back Against Ruffalo Merger Critique With Call for Civility

Paramount condemned Mark Ruffalo’s Instagram post that used antisemitic rhetoric in the context of the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, stating it does not tolerate prejudice and urging a constructive discourse about the deal; Ruffalo had criticized the merger and referenced Safra Catz in a clip from years past.

via Variety|

#antisemitism #entertainment #mark-ruffalo

business4 days ago•2 min saved

Charter-Cox merger closes; Arizona Cox customers migrate to Spectrum by September

Charter Communications has completed its $34.5 billion merger with Cox Communications and Liberty Broadband, with Cox customers in Phoenix and Tucson set to switch to Spectrum by mid-September. Spectrum will roll out its pricing and product lineup to former Cox customers, offer 24/7 U.S.-based support and other service guarantees, and Cox billing will gradually transition to Spectrum under Charter’s ownership, expanding Spectrum’s footprint to Arizona.

via AZ Family|

#arizona #business #charter

business4 days ago•6 min saved

Charter-Cox merger closes, expanding Spectrum to 35 million customers

Charter Communications completed its $34.5 billion takeover of Cox Communications, creating the nation’s largest broadband and cable provider with about 35 million customers; Cox customers in many California markets will shift to Spectrum by mid-September and will gain access to Dodgers-owned SportsNet LA after years of a blackout. Regulators approved the merger with conditions, including affordable broadband commitments, network upgrades to 1 Gbps, and outreach initiatives; Charter plans to temporarily retire the Cox name and rebrand to Cox next year, while Spectrum remains the core brand. The deal also includes a year of free Spectrum service for Cox customers who switch their cellphone plan to Spectrum, potential bill credits for outages, and some workforce realignments as overlaps are eliminated.

via Los Angeles Times|

#broadband #business #charter-communications

business5 days ago•31 min saved

Paramount Threat to Exit LA Sparks Hollywood Merger Fallout

Deadline reports that Paramount’s pending merger with Warner Bros. Discovery has sparked fear and political pressure in Hollywood as CEO David Ellison threatens to move Paramount’s operations from Los Angeles to Tennessee, Texas or Georgia to push for concessions amid a 12-state antitrust suit heading to a March 2, 2027 trial; industry leaders urge a settlement, unions warn that a relocation would devastate below-the-line workers, and several states tout incentives as California debates its own production ecosystem.

via Deadline|

#antitrust #business #merger