Paramount and California AG Meet to Discuss Antitrust Settlement

CNBC • 22 Aug 20:34

Paramount and the California attorney general's office will meet on Monday to explore a settlement of the antitrust lawsuit challenging Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

CNN • 22 Aug 17:50

Paramount and the coalition of state attorneys general filing antitrust lawsuits will meet next week to discuss a possible settlement, though significant differences remain over required structural remedies.

Deadline • 22 Aug 00:59

Paramount Pictures and a coalition of state attorneys general will hold mediation talks on the antitrust lawsuit over its proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, while California Governor Gavin Newsom said he is monitoring the dispute.

Variety • 22 Aug 00:19

Paramount Pictures and the California attorney general's office will discuss a possible settlement of the antitrust case that has halted the $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

IndieWire • 21 Aug 23:30

A lawsuit by 12 Democratic state attorneys general is delaying the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, which industry analysts say could affect thousands of jobs and production locations.

The Hollywood Reporter • 21 Aug 13:25

Phoenix Theatres founder argues that blocking the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger may create prolonged uncertainty, delay film investment and reduce the number of movies available for theaters.

The Hollywood Reporter • 20 Aug 21:51

Mayor Karen Bass called on Paramount, Skydance, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta to settle an antitrust lawsuit over the $111 billion merger, citing concerns about job losses and industry stability.

Deadline • 20 Aug 20:55

The Writers Guild of America rebuked Mayor Karen Bass after she urged settlement negotiations in the antitrust lawsuit challenging the $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, citing concerns over job losses.

Variety • 20 Aug 20:42

Mayor Karen Bass urged Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount to negotiate a settlement in the 12-state antitrust case blocking the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, citing concerns for jobs and production in Los Angeles.

Deadline • 20 Aug 20:30

Paramount Pictures' chief David Ellison warned he may move the studio out of California as the proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery faces an antitrust trial, prompting reactions from officials, unions and state leaders.

CNBC • 20 Aug 14:51

California Attorney General Rob Bonta told CNBC that any settlement to block the Paramount-Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery would require robust structural remedies, as the states’ antitrust lawsuit focuses on market concentration in film and television.

Deadline • 19 Aug 21:05

Paramount Pictures asked a federal court to approve a $1.88 billion bond ahead of its planned $31 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, while a Los Angeles County report projects thousands of job losses if the deal proceeds.

Variety • 19 Aug 21:02

A Los Angeles County-commissioned study estimates the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger may cut 4,500 film and TV production jobs in the region over three years, with broader economic effects.

The Hollywood Reporter • 19 Aug 20:21

A report by the L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity estimates the proposed $111 billion merger could eliminate $1.26 billion in wages and $2.78 billion in economic value, affecting thousands of jobs in the region.

Fox Business • 19 Aug 19:25

The theater trade group Cinema United asked Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount CEO David Ellison to begin settlement talks over the proposed Paramount-Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing industry uncertainty.

The Hollywood Reporter • 19 Aug 07:09

California Attorney General Rob Bonta dismissed David Ellison's recent media and legal maneuvers as ineffective, reaffirming the state's antitrust case against the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

The Hollywood Reporter • 18 Aug 20:29

The theater trade group Cinema United has shifted from opposing to seeking a meeting with Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellithon and California Attorney General Rob Bonta to discuss a possible resolution to the antitrust lawsuit over their merger.

Variety • 18 Aug 19:00

David Ellellson warned that Paramount may begin withdrawing its California operations by Oct. 1 if the Warner Bros. Discovery merger is not finalized, intensifying a standoff with state attorneys general over the pending antitrust case.

Deadline • 18 Aug 18:25

The trade group representing U.S. movie theaters asked California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount CEO Brian Robbins to meet and discuss a resolution to the state's challenge of Paramount’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, outlining four conditions for any agreement.

Variety • 18 Aug 18:00

Cinemark announced its support for the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, aligning with the other two major U.S. theater chains, while industry lobby group Cinema United remains opposed.

Variety • 17 Aug 21:18

The California attorney general’s office denied Paramount’s request for a $1.88 billion bond tied to the Warner Bros. merger delay, calling the move a “do-over,” while Paramount argues the bond is needed to cover potential fees.

CNN • 17 Aug 21:17

Paramount has asked a federal judge to require the states challenging its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery to post a $1.9 billion bond, citing costly “ticking fees” that would accrue if the deal is delayed.

The Hollywood Reporter • 17 Aug 20:02

Paramount Pictures and Skydance have asked state attorneys general to post a $1.884 billion bond while litigation over their $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery proceeds, citing federal antitrust law and potential financial losses from delays.

Los Angeles Times • 17 Aug 18:51

Paramount has asked a federal judge to require a coalition of 12 states and the Writers Guild of America to post a bond covering up to $1.9 billion in potential fees if the Warner Bros. Discovery merger is delayed beyond its September deadline.

Variety • 17 Aug 18:32

Paramount has asked a federal judge to require the states and the Writers Guild of America to post a $1.88 billion bond covering losses from the delayed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, while the antitrust lawsuits remain pending.

Deadline • 17 Aug 18:31

Paramount Pictures filed a motion asking a federal court to require plaintiffs in the antitrust lawsuits to post a $1.88 billion bond, citing daily fees and other costs it would incur if the Warner Bros. Discovery merger is delayed.

CNBC • 17 Aug 18:30

Paramount has filed a request for a $1.88 billion bond from the state attorneys general contesting its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, citing projected financial losses from the postponement.

Variety • 16 Aug 23:55

Noah Wyle expressed skepticism about David Ellison’s threat to move Paramount Pictures from California, citing concerns for the local industry as the studio weighs relocation amid a pending merger dispute.

New York Post • 16 Aug 00:44

A lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta to block Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery has drawn criticism from Hollywood executives, who warn it could jeopardize the industry's financial stability and political contributions.

Deadline • 14 Aug 21:15

Paramount Pictures chief David Ellison said state attorneys general are blocking the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, warning of daily penalty fees and urging a settlement, while California officials maintain the deal would harm competition and wages.

variety.com • 14 Aug 20:30

Paramount received clearance from Mexico's competition regulator for its planned merger with Warner Bros., leaving only a dozen U.S. state attorneys general as remaining obstacles.

Deadline • 13 Aug 22:50

Teamsters Local 399 demanded data on the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros merger, warning that without clear commitments the deal could harm American film and television workers.

Deadline • 13 Aug 22:33

Plaintiffs and defendants in the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger case filed a joint schedule for discovery, with trial slated for March and significant financial penalties tied to delays.

The Hollywood Reporter • 13 Aug 00:41

The Directors Guild of America and IATSE have asked California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount-Skydance CEO David Ellison to settle their antitrust dispute before a March 2027 trial, citing risks to workers and production schedules.

Deadline • 13 Aug 00:33

The Directors Guild of America and IATSE asked California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison to accelerate the antitrust litigation over the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, citing concerns for workers and the state film industry.

variety.com • 13 Aug 00:14

The Directors Guild of America and IATSE have asked Attorney General Rob Bonta to settle the antitrust case against Paramount, warning that the merger delay harms workers and the broader film industry.

CNN • 12 Aug 14:57

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jamie Raskin sent a letter to Paramount Pictures chief David Ellithon demanding answers about the company's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and its reported contacts with the Trump administration.

Deadline • 12 Aug 00:29

The Writers Guild of America criticized David Ellison’s warning that Paramount could exit California if the state attorney general does not settle an antitrust case, and reiterated its own lawsuit to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.