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Paramount Wbd Merger

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Calif. AG's Paramount Blockade Seen as Political Theater, Critics Say
business2 days ago

Calif. AG's Paramount Blockade Seen as Political Theater, Critics Say

A New York Post columnist argues California AG Rob Bonta’s bid to block Paramount’s $81 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is more political theater than solid antitrust action, fueled by Hollywood influence and public pressure from actor Mark Ruffalo. The piece claims the case rests on weak antitrust grounds, highlights perceived hypocrisy, and portrays Bonta as pursuing publicity ahead of potential gubernatorial ambitions.

via New York Post|
#antitrust#business#ellison-family
Fonda Backing Ruffalo as Antisemitism Smear Sparks Merger Debate
entertainment5 days ago

Fonda Backing Ruffalo as Antisemitism Smear Sparks Merger Debate

Jane Fonda has publicly defended Mark Ruffalo after Paramount accused him of antisemitism for criticizing the Paramount–WBD merger. Fonda, through her Committee for the First Amendment, rejected the smear and urged attention to concerns about media consolidation and free speech. Paramount said it doesn’t tolerate prejudice, while Ruffalo emphasized that criticizing Israeli policy or related actions is not antisemitic and reaffirmed his support for Jewish people. The dispute has drawn support from some Hollywood figures and condemnation from anti-hate groups, highlighting tensions around speech and corporate power in a high-stakes media deal.

via Deadline|
#antisemitism#entertainment#jane-fonda
Ruffalo Targets Ellison-Oracle Ties Amid Paramount-WBD Merger
business10 days ago

Ruffalo Targets Ellison-Oracle Ties Amid Paramount-WBD Merger

Actor Mark Ruffalo publicly attacked Larry Ellison’s links to Oracle amid the Paramount-Warner Bros merger, sharing Safra Catz’s remarks about “really profoundly scary” tech and warning the deal could concentrate media power and cost jobs. Paramount pushed back, saying antisemitic tropes have no place in a business dispute, while LA Mayor Karen Bass urged parties to negotiate; the piece also notes antitrust concerns and shifting bids in the entertainment industry.

via Deadline|
#antisemitism#business#larry-ellison
WGA Slams Bass for Settlement Push in Paramount-WBD Merger
business12 days ago

WGA Slams Bass for Settlement Push in Paramount-WBD Merger

The Writers Guild of America condemned Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for backing a settlement in the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger lawsuit, arguing she joined a Democratic pressure campaign that would force a “false choice”—jobs today versus potential layoffs tomorrow. Bass says the goal is to keep Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery in L.A. with enforceable commitments to protect workers and productions, while Paramount and others push for a negotiated outcome amid a ticking-fee penalty and an upcoming March trial date. California AG Rob Bonta and a coalition of states have been pursuing antitrust action, with thousands of LA-area jobs at stake as executives weigh whether to stay in L.A. or relocate.

via Deadline|
#antitrust#business#karen-bass
Netflix Hires Warner Bros. Communications Vet Katie Martin Kelley as Film VP
entertainment15 days ago

Netflix Hires Warner Bros. Communications Vet Katie Martin Kelley as Film VP

Warner Bros. EVP of Communications Katie Martin Kelley is leaving for Netflix to become VP of Communications for Film, reporting to Dani Dudeck, and will oversee Dan Lin’s feature slate as she joins on Sept. 8, part of Netflix’s broader global comms leadership; the move comes amid ongoing Paramount-WBD merger uncertainty and assignments across Netflix’s expanding film slate.

via deadline.com|
#dan-lin#entertainment#katie-martin-kelley
Hollywood Unions Call for Speedy Resolution in Paramount-WBD Merger Fight
business19 days ago

Hollywood Unions Call for Speedy Resolution in Paramount-WBD Merger Fight

Hollywood’s DGA and IATSE are urging California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison to fast-track the antitrust case over the Paramount-WBD merger, warning that a prolonged court battle could damage jobs and the industry, especially in California where production is down. They also outline proposed enforceable conditions to preserve separate studios, production windows, and US-based work, arguing for a quicker decision than the current March 2027 trial date and noting Ellison’s threat to move Paramount if settlement fails.

via deadline.com|
#antitrust#business#dga
Ellison’s LA production push and Harris outreach eyed to salvage Paramount-WBD deal
business26 days ago

Ellison’s LA production push and Harris outreach eyed to salvage Paramount-WBD deal

Deadline outlines potential moves to save the Paramount-WBD merger: boost Los Angeles production to create jobs and win local support, restructure controversial CNN/CBS News leadership to ease political concerns, and court Kamala Harris for antitrust credibility and bipartisan leverage as the deal faces a state AGs suit, a looming termination fee, and a March trial date.

via Deadline|
#antitrust#business#david-ellison
WBD Q2 Slump Deepens After Supergirl Misfire and NBA Rights Exit
business26 days ago

WBD Q2 Slump Deepens After Supergirl Misfire and NBA Rights Exit

Warner Bros. Discovery missed Wall Street expectations in Q2, with revenue down 11% to $8.7 billion as the Supergirl release underperformed and the lack of NBA rights weighed on advertising and linear networks, though streaming revenue rose 10% to $3.1 billion and EBITDA climbed 75% to $512 million; the Paramount merger remains entangled in antitrust litigation with a trial set for March 2027.

via Deadline|
#business#earnings#nba-rights
Regal CEO Backs Paramount-WBD Merger, Urges End to Prolonged Antitrust Fight
business26 days ago

Regal CEO Backs Paramount-WBD Merger, Urges End to Prolonged Antitrust Fight

Regal Cinemas CEO Eduardo Acuna publicly supports the Paramount-WBD merger, arguing that a lengthy antitrust trial would be damaging to exhibitors and the industry; he cites Paramount CEO David Ellison's commitments—at least 30 theatrical releases annually with a 45-day PVOD window and 90-day SVOD window for three years—and a willingness to enter a consent decree with state AGs as reasons to move forward.

via Deadline|
#30-films-a-year-commitments#antitrust-trial#business
UK Urged to Block Paramount-WBD Merger, Backed by Cumberbatch and Co.
entertainment1 month ago

UK Urged to Block Paramount-WBD Merger, Backed by Cumberbatch and Co.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong co-authored a Guardian op-ed urging UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to intervene and block Paramount’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the consolidation would harm the UK screen industry and threaten news diversity by concentrating outlets like 5 News, CNN International, and CBS News. The European Union has cleared the deal, but the UK is reviewing it with a decision due after Parliament returns from summer break; the merger could close without UK clearance due to a non-suspensory regime, though Paramount says it will respect the British process.

via Deadline|
#benedict-cumberbatch#entertainment#guardian-op-ed
Hollywood on the Brink: The Paramount-WBD Tie-Up and Its Fallout
business1 month ago

Hollywood on the Brink: The Paramount-WBD Tie-Up and Its Fallout

Dave Schilling argues the Paramount-WBD merger accelerates Hollywood consolidation, threatening thousands of jobs (about 6,000 overall and ~2,495 in LA), while facing multistate and EU antitrust challenges plus a WGA suit; Paramount even hints at possibly moving operations to Tennessee to cut costs, underscoring the risk to LA’s film industry and the city’s economy if consolidation continues.

via The Guardian|
#antitrust#business#hollywood
States Move to Slow Paramount-WBD Merger as Court Hears Emergency Challenge
business1 month ago

States Move to Slow Paramount-WBD Merger as Court Hears Emergency Challenge

California AG Rob Bonta and 11 state lawyers filed for emergency relief to halt Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, seeking a TRO and preliminary injunction; Judge P. Casey Pitts is set to hear the motion this week with a ruling likely before July 22. The case centers on antitrust market definitions in wide-release and top-grossing film distribution, with a related WGA challenge and the possibility of a settlement shaping the outcome.

via Deadline|
#antitrust#business#emergency-motions
New York City Mayor Defends Block of Paramount-WBD Deal as Public-Serving?
business1 month ago

New York City Mayor Defends Block of Paramount-WBD Deal as Public-Serving?

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani voiced support for Letitia James and 11 other state attorneys general suing to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, calling the $110 billion deal “not a merger that serves the public” and warning it would concentrate control over movies and cable, raise prices, and threaten the livelihoods of New York artists and theaters; Paramount contends the suit would delay entertainment workers’ projects and harm the industry.

via Deadline|
#antitrust#business#entertainment-industry