Paramount and State Attorneys General Disagree on Trial Schedule for Warner Bros. Merger Antitrust Case
Paramount seeks a November 2027 trial date, while a coalition of state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America request an April start, leaving the schedule to be decided by federal judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin.
Paramount Pictures and a group of twelve state attorneys general, joined by the Writers Guild of America, filed competing proposals for the timetable of the antitrust trial over the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. In a joint filing on Friday, the parties indicated that the final schedule will be set by U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin, noting that they have not reached an agreement.
Paramount’s filing asks for a 12-day trial beginning on November 4, 2027, arguing that the timeframe allows sufficient discovery and preparation. The company’s spokesperson said the request “is more than sufficient to give both sides the time they need to conduct discovery, gather evidence, and prepare for trial.” Paramount also warned that a later start could increase its daily financial exposure under a merger agreement that imposes a $7 million penalty for each day the deal remains unclosed after September 30.
The states and the WGA proposed an April 5, 2027 start, with a trial lasting 12-15 days. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the challenge “is about protecting the vibrancy of an industry, the pockets of consumers, and the quality of films and television programs.” The plaintiffs argue that extensive discovery is required to define relevant markets, assess potential harms, and evaluate the merger’s claimed synergies.
Both sides cited precedent. Paramount referenced the 2018 AT&T-Time Warner case, which proceeded to trial four months after the government’s filing, while the states highlighted that their proposed schedule would bring the case to trial more quickly than most recent merger disputes.
Judge Martinez-Olguin will consider the arguments and set a trial date that balances the parties’ interests and the statutory deadline for a final decision on the merger, which the companies have set for June 1, 2027.
"Our request for a November trial date is more than sufficient to give both sides the time they need to conduct discovery, gather evidence, and prepare for trial," Paramount spokesperson said.
"Our challenge to the unlawful Warner Bros./Paramount merger is a clean-cut antitrust challenge through and through: it’s about protecting the vibrancy of an industry, the pockets of consumers, and the quality of films and television programs," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.