Judge Reviews Settlement After California AG Ends Paramount-Warner Antitrust Lawsuit

New York Post • 27 Sep 07:33

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement ending his antitrust challenge to the proposed Paramount-Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing insufficient evidence of monopoly concerns.

CNBC • 25 Sep 22:31

Paramount Pictures' CEO David Ellison agreed to a settlement that requires the combined Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery entity to release a minimum of 30 films annually through 2031, with penalties for non-compliance, while industry observers question the quality and sustainability of the slate.

Ars Technica • 25 Sep 18:42

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín is evaluating a California-led settlement that would allow Paramount to complete its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, while advocacy groups argue the deal fails to address antitrust and public-interest issues.

Deadline • 24 Sep 18:24

Industry lawyers and investors noted that the pending $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger underscores the growing role of technology in content distribution and could reshape traditional media dynamics.

indiewire.com • 24 Sep 16:45

A California judge approved an emergency filing by the Block the Merger coalition, extending the deadline for parties to submit a brief and potentially postponing the hearing on the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger settlement.

deadline.com • 24 Sep 16:03

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin granted a motion to accept amicus briefs, setting a filing deadline that pushes back the hearing on the proposed $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

Deadline • 24 Sep 15:04

A group of antitrust and free-speech organizations filed a request with a federal judge to extend the briefing deadline, arguing that the proposed consent decree does not adequately address competition or First Amendment concerns.

Variety • 24 Sep 10:52

A coalition of media and documentary organizations has submitted an amicus brief seeking to block Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, urging a judge to reconsider the consent decree reached with state attorneys general.

The Hollywood Reporter • 23 Sep 00:34

A federal judge will consider whether to lift a court order blocking Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, reviewing a five-year consent decree that sets operational conditions for the combined company.

Deadline • 22 Sep 23:54

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin set a Zoom hearing for Thursday to address questions about the proposed consent decree between state attorneys general and Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery.

Deadline • 22 Sep 17:26

Sen. Cory Booker denounced a settlement over the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, accusing the company and the Justice Department of undermining antitrust enforcement.

variety.com • 22 Sep 16:35

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery received approval for their merger following a settlement with 12 state attorneys general, prompting insiders to anticipate multiple rounds of job cuts in the coming months.

The Hollywood Reporter • 22 Sep 13:21

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement that permits Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, imposing production and operational commitments while avoiding divestitures.

Deadline • 22 Sep 02:17

The combined studio would satisfy the California Attorney General’s settlement by delivering 36 theatrical releases in 2027 and is on track to meet future annual quotas, while regulators stress that competition must remain unchanged.

Deadline • 22 Sep 00:27

A settlement of the antitrust lawsuit by state attorneys general mandates that Paramount keep its free ad-supported streaming service Pluto TV for five years and outlines conditions under which it could be forced to sell certain cable networks.

BBC • 21 Sep 21:34

Paramount Skydance reached a settlement with twelve U.S. states that requires the company to produce at least 30 films annually, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for its planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

reuters.com • 21 Sep 21:23

Paramount reached a settlement with U.S. states and the Writers Guild, allowing its acquisition of Warner Bros while agreeing to film production quotas, a news editorial board and financial penalties for non-compliance.

NBC News • 21 Sep 20:37

California and 11 other states settled their antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, imposing film-release and investment commitments, while the Writers Guild also reached a separate settlement.

Deadline • 21 Sep 20:25

California Attorney General Rob Bonta confirmed a settlement with Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, ending a months-long antitrust dispute involving 12 Democratic state attorneys general.

CNBC • 21 Sep 14:56

Paramount and a coalition of state attorneys general reached a settlement that includes editorial oversight provisions and financial penalties, allowing the $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery to proceed.

Variety • 21 Sep 14:56

Paramount has settled an antitrust lawsuit filed by a coalition of 12 state attorneys general, removing a key barrier to its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Deadline • 21 Sep 02:43

A group of four state attorneys general is refusing to endorse a proposed settlement in the antitrust lawsuit over Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, delaying negotiations that could resolve the case before a March 2027 trial.

Los Angeles Times • 20 Sep 21:30

Critics, including several state attorneys general, are urging California Attorney General Rob Bonta to reject a proposed settlement on the $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. deal, citing concerns over media concentration and insufficient safeguards.

Variety • 20 Sep 14:15

Paramount Skydance is nearing a settlement with 12 state attorneys general over its proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, while anti-merger groups plan protests.

The Hollywood Reporter • 20 Sep 04:12

Mark Ruffalo called on California Attorney General Rob Bonta to reject a proposed settlement of the antitrust case against Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros., while Paramount accused him of using antisemitic language.

Variety • 20 Sep 01:24

Mark Ruffero appealed to Attorney General Rob Bonta to continue the antitrust case against Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, warning that a settlement would harm filmmakers.

New York Post • 20 Sep 00:28

Actor Mark Ruffalo and a coalition of industry groups are pressuring Attorney General Rob Bonta to reject a proposed settlement that could allow Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery to proceed.

Deadline • 19 Sep 19:22

Negotiations between Paramount, state attorneys general and the Writers Guild to resolve antitrust concerns over the Warner Bros. Discovery merger have drawn criticism from Senator Elizabeth Warren and the advocacy group Block the Merger.

Los Angeles Times • 19 Sep 01:17

Paramount Pictures and California Attorney General Rob Bonta are in confidential settlement negotiations that could clear the way for Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The Hollywood Reporter • 19 Sep 00:33

Paramount Pictures and California Attorney General Rob Bonta are in advanced negotiations to settle a lawsuit challenging Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with a potential agreement expected soon.

Common Dreams • 18 Sep 21:01

Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic FCC commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the FCC’s decision to allow nearly 50% foreign ownership in a planned Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, citing concerns over influence from Middle-East governments.

Ars Technica • 18 Sep 17:57

The Federal Communications Commission granted Paramount Skydance a waiver to allow sovereign-wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to acquire up to 49.5% non-voting shares, despite objections over foreign influence.

variety.com • 17 Sep 22:59

The FCC approved Paramount's request to allow Gulf sovereign wealth funds to hold up to 49.5% of its equity, without voting rights, as part of its pending merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.