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

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

U. S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín said she will review the consent decree that resolves the antitrust case brought by California Attorney General Rob Bonta against Paramount-Skydance’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a filing reported on 27 September.

The dispute began after the Federal Communications Commission granted Paramount-Skydance a waiver allowing sovereign-wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to hold up to 49. 5 % non-voting shares in the combined company. Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, as well as media-rights groups, criticized the foreign ownership and the settlement terms. Throughout September, Paramount and the state attorneys general negotiated a settlement that required a minimum of 30-36 theatrical releases per year, editorial oversight, and commitments to keep Pluto TV and other assets, leading Bonta to drop his lawsuit on 17 September.

Acteurs

Federal Communications Commission Paramount Pictures Warner Bros. Discovery Saudi sovereign wealth fund Qatari sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Ellison family RedBird Capital Partners Commissioner Anna Gomez

Lieux

Washington, D.C., United States Los Angeles, California, United States
Verdict global: Partiellement confirmé Confiance: 75% Affirmations: 3
Résumé

All three claims were partially confirmed. The announcement by California Attorney General Rob Bonta on September 27, 2026, regarding a settlement ending his antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. was partially confirmed. The report that on September 20, 2026, actor Mark Ruffalo and industry groups pressured Attorney General Rob Bonta to reject a proposed settlement related to the Paramount-Skydance acquisition was partially confirmed. The claim that on September 18, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission granted Paramount Skydance a waiver for sovereign-wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to acquire up to 49 percent was also partially confirmed.

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Articles

27 septembre 2026
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Rob Bonta’s Paramount-WBD debacle has created political chaos
Rob Bonta’s Paramount-WBD debacle has created political chaos

New York Post • 27 sept. 07h33

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.

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25 septembre 2026
2 au total
What did Paramount promise Hollywood to secure WBD?
What did Paramount promise Hollywood to secure WBD?

CNBC • 25 sept. 22h31

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.

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Paramount/WBD merger conditions give the public "virtually nothing," judge is told
Paramount/WBD merger conditions give the public "virtually nothing," judge is told

Ars Technica • 25 sept. 18h42

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.

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24 septembre 2026
5 au total
Dealmakers React To Paramount-WBD Settlement: "Tech Has Won"
Dealmakers React To Paramount-WBD Settlement: "Tech Has Won"

Deadline • 24 sept. 18h24

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.

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Paramount-WBD Merger Hits a Delay as Judge Grants Last-Ditch Effort
Paramount-WBD Merger Hits a Delay as Judge Grants Last-Ditch Effort

indiewire.com • 24 sept. 16h45

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.

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Paramount Merger Delayed As Judge OKs Motion To Block Antitrust Settlement
Paramount Merger Delayed As Judge OKs Motion To Block Antitrust Settlement

deadline.com • 24 sept. 16h03

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.

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Block The Merger Coalition Asks Judge To Delay Paramount
Block The Merger Coalition Asks Judge To Delay Paramount

Deadline • 24 sept. 15h04

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.

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Block the Merger Coalition File Request to Oppose Paramount-WBD Deal
Block the Merger Coalition File Request to Oppose Paramount-WBD Deal

Variety • 24 sept. 10h52

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.

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23 septembre 2026
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Paramount-Warner Bros. Settlement to be Considered at Court Hearing
Paramount-Warner Bros. Settlement to be Considered at Court Hearing

The Hollywood Reporter • 23 sept. 00h34

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.

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22 septembre 2026
6 au total
WBD Hearing Date Set For Proposed AGs Settlement
WBD Hearing Date Set For Proposed AGs Settlement

Deadline • 22 sept. 23h54

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.

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Cory Booker Slams Paramount
Cory Booker Slams Paramount

Deadline • 22 sept. 17h26

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

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Paramount, Warner Bros. Insiders Stunned by Settlement, Readying for Layoffs
Paramount, Warner Bros. Insiders Stunned by Settlement, Readying for Layoffs

variety.com • 22 sept. 16h35

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.

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California Vowed to Stop Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger. Why Settle?
California Vowed to Stop Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger. Why Settle?

The Hollywood Reporter • 22 sept. 13h21

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.

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Merger Paramount May Overdeliver On Settlement With 36
Merger Paramount May Overdeliver On Settlement With 36

Deadline • 22 sept. 02h17

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.

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Paramount Settlement Protects Pluto TV, May Divest BET, Comedy Central
Paramount Settlement Protects Pluto TV, May Divest BET, Comedy Central

Deadline • 22 sept. 00h27

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.

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21 septembre 2026
7 au total
Paramount reaches settlement with states in $110bn Warner Bros merger
Paramount reaches settlement with states in $110bn Warner Bros merger

BBC • 21 sept. 21h34

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.

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Paramount wins Warner Bros takeover after settling states, union lawsuits
Paramount wins Warner Bros takeover after settling states, union lawsuits

reuters.com • 21 sept. 21h23

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.

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Paramount reaches deal with California, other states over Warner merger
Paramount reaches deal with California, other states over Warner merger

NBC News • 21 sept. 20h37

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.

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Deal Came Together After Stalemate
Deal Came Together After Stalemate

Deadline • 21 sept. 20h25

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.

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Paramount reaches settlement over Warner Bros. merger
Paramount reaches settlement over Warner Bros. merger

CNBC • 21 sept. 14h56

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.

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Paramount Settles State Antitrust Case Clearing Obstacle to W.B. Deal
Paramount Settles State Antitrust Case Clearing Obstacle to W.B. Deal

Variety • 21 sept. 14h56

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.

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Paramount Suit Settlement Talks Blocked By Four State Attorneys General
Paramount Suit Settlement Talks Blocked By Four State Attorneys General

Deadline • 21 sept. 02h43

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.

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20 septembre 2026
5 au total
Opposition grows to Paramount-Warner Bros. merger settlement
Opposition grows to Paramount-Warner Bros. merger settlement

Los Angeles Times • 20 sept. 21h30

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.

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Paramount Settlement Talks Accelerate; Bonta Urged Not to 'Cave'
Paramount Settlement Talks Accelerate; Bonta Urged Not to 'Cave'

Variety • 20 sept. 14h15

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.

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Mark Ruffalo Tells Rob Bonta 'Do Not Cave' Settle Paramount Lawsuit
Mark Ruffalo Tells Rob Bonta 'Do Not Cave' Settle Paramount Lawsuit

The Hollywood Reporter • 20 sept. 04h12

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.

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Mark Ruffalo Tells Rob Bonta 'Don't You Dare' Settle With Paramount
Mark Ruffalo Tells Rob Bonta 'Don't You Dare' Settle With Paramount

Variety • 20 sept. 01h24

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.

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Mark Ruffalo leads Hollywood revolt against Paramount-Warner merger deal
Mark Ruffalo leads Hollywood revolt against Paramount-Warner merger deal

New York Post • 20 sept. 00h28

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.

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19 septembre 2026
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Paramount Settlement Talks With AGs Face Political & Industry Opposition
Paramount Settlement Talks With AGs Face Political & Industry Opposition

Deadline • 19 sept. 19h22

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.

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Paramount, California settlement talks accelerate, bringing Warner Bros. merger closer to finish line
Paramount, California settlement talks accelerate, bringing Warner Bros. merger closer to finish line

Los Angeles Times • 19 sept. 01h17

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.

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Paramount and California AG Reportedly Closing in on a Settlement
Paramount and California AG Reportedly Closing in on a Settlement

The Hollywood Reporter • 19 sept. 00h33

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.

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18 septembre 2026
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'Outrageous': Sanders Slams FCC for Approving Saudi and UAE Ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros.
'Outrageous': Sanders Slams FCC for Approving Saudi and UAE Ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros.

Common Dreams • 18 sept. 21h01

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.

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FCC lets Paramount sell 49.5% equity stake to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar
FCC lets Paramount sell 49.5% equity stake to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar

Ars Technica • 18 sept. 17h57

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.

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17 septembre 2026
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FCC Approves 49.5% Foreign Ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros.
FCC Approves 49.5% Foreign Ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros.

variety.com • 17 sept. 22h59

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.

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