L.A. County Report Projects Major Job Losses if Paramount Relocates from California

A leaked Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) document released on September 10 projects significant employment and economic impacts if Paramount Global were to move its headquarters and other operations out of California. The report estimates that between October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2031 the state could lose between 2,750 and 5,550 job-years and $1.01 billion to $2.03 billion in economic output in the short term. Over a longer horizon, the analysis says the relocation could result in the permanent loss of roughly 28,990 to 57,980 full-time jobs statewide and a reduction of $10.6 billion to $21.2 billion in annual economic output.

The EDC also noted that Paramount’s post-merger production commitment of 30 feature films per year for three years could generate between 1,020 and 2,760 job-years and $377.7 million to $1.01 billion in economic output during the same period. The figures are presented as part of the broader dispute over the $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which is being challenged by a coalition of state attorneys general.

Paramount’s legal team has filed a response in federal court asserting that the merger would increase competition and benefit consumers, theaters, cable providers, and content creators. The filing also argues that the antitrust lawsuit relies on “cherry-picked” data and that the plaintiffs’ economic models are unrealistic.

State officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, have not commented on the county report. The EDC’s analysis adds to ongoing negotiations between Paramount and the attorneys general, which are scheduled to begin next month.