World News
Paramount settles multi-state antitrust suit to advance Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition
Settlements with state prosecutors and the Writers Guild clear the final major obstacles for the mega-merger.
The short version
- Paramount settled an antitrust lawsuit brought by state attorneys general, clearing the path to complete its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.[Business Insider]
- The Writers Guild of America also reached a settlement with Paramount regarding the transaction.[Variety · Engadget]
- Under the terms, Paramount committed to releasing at least 30 movies annually and establishing an editorial independence board for news operations.[Business Insider · Engadget]
- The acquisition is anticipated to close in approximately two weeks, according to an internal memo from David Ellison.[Business Insider · Variety · Engadget]
Key facts
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta settled the antitrust suit aimed at blocking Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.[Business Insider · Variety · Engadget]
- The Writers Guild of America resolved its own legal challenge opposing the transaction.[Variety · Engadget]
- Paramount pledged to release at least 30 films every year as part of the agreement.[Business Insider · Variety · Engadget]
- David Ellison communicated to staff that the acquisition is targeted to close in roughly two weeks.[Variety]
What remains uncertain
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta publicly stated he maintains his personal stance that the two companies should not merge.[Business Insider]
- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, noting his state had sought a complete divestiture of CNN and CBS News.[Engadget]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Of course Larry and David Ellison got their wayBusiness Insider metered
- David Ellison Says Paramount Hopes to Close Warner Bros. Deal in ‘Approximately Two Weeks’ in Staff MemoVariety metered
- Paramount settles US states' antitrust lawsuit, clearing the way for its Warner Bros. acquisitionEngadget
- Paramount and California AG Bonta Reportedly in ‘Advanced Talks’ to Settle Antitrust SuitVariety metered
- Paramount and California AG Reportedly Closing in on a SettlementThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- Paramount Settlement Talks With State AGs Reach Critical Stage as Merger Opponents Rally and Urge Rob Bonta ‘Do Not Cave’Variety metered
- As Paramount Settlement Talks With States Progress, Some AGs Are Pushing for Stronger RestrictionsVariety metered
- Deal or No Deal? The Contours of a Paramount Settlement for WBD Begin to Take ShapeThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- There’s a Deal, Now It’s All About the Details. Paramount, 12 States to Settle Warner Bros. FightThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- California settles lawsuit against Paramount/Warner merger, angering advocatesArs Technica
- ‘Block the Merger’ push continues amid reported Paramount settlement with statesNBC News - Top Stories
- Paramount makes concessions to salvage $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery dealNPR - Top News
- Paramount settles lawsuits with 12 US states, clearing way for Warner mergerThe Guardian - US
- Paramount reaches deal with California, other states over Warner Bros. Discovery mergerNBC News - Top Stories
- Paramount clears the last major hurdle to buying Warner Bros. Discovery by settling the lawsuit brought by 12 statesBusiness Insider metered
- Paramount reaches deal with states to settle case challenging Warner buyout: SourceABC News - Business
- Paramount and state AGs settle lawsuit, allowing Warner Bros. merger to proceedCNBC
- What’s in the Paramount Settlement With States: Commitment to Not Sell Studio Lots, Additional $300M U.S. Film Production Investment, CNN Oversight and MoreVariety metered
- Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. mergerThe Verge
- Paramount settles with US states in step towards merger with Warner BrosAl Jazeera
- Deal Terms Revealed: Paramount, 12 States Unveil Warner Bros. Settlement PlanThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Opponents React With Dismay About SettlementThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- Paramount Skydance reaches antitrust deal with states over Warner Bros. Discovery purchaseCBS News - Top Stories
- Paramount settles lawsuit with US states, helping clear way for $110bn merger with Warner BrosBBC News - Business
- WGA Settles Antitrust Lawsuit With Paramount Over Warner Bros. Discovery MergerVariety metered
- Read the memo that Paramount CEO David Ellison sent to staffers after 2 settlements that clear the way for his WBD dealBusiness Insider metered
- Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Bros. Discovery mergerThe Hill
- That’s All? Team Paramount Nabs Warner Bros. With Only Minor Concessions to StatesThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- Paramount-Warner Bros. Settlement: What the Guilds, AGs and Activists Are SayingVariety metered
- Rob Bonta, Facing Skeptics, Defends ‘Very Strong’ Paramount DealVariety metered
- Free Streamer Pluto TV Gets a Lifeline in Paramount-Warner Bros. Consent DecreeThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- Paramount, US states settle antitrust lawsuit over Warner Bros. acquisitionFrance 24
- Paramount settles with US states, clearing path for Warner Bros. mergerFrance 24
- Paramount Skydance 'Emerges Victorious', Finally Wins Settlement for Warner Bros TakeoverSlashdot
- Warner Bros. Merger Back On: Paramount Settles Antitrust SuitCNET
- What to know about Paramount's settlement and its impact on moviesABC News - Business
- California Vowed to Stop Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger. Why Did It Fold?The Hollywood Reporter metered
- 'War of the tech stacks': Paramount and WBD employees brace for internal competition after the merger closesBusiness Insider metered
- $111 Billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal Coughs Up Just $5 Million a Year for Indie FilmsThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- ‘Wonder Woman’ Director Patty Jenkins Says Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Is ‘Such Chaos’: ‘The Studio System Is in Bad Shape’Variety metered
- All the Top Shows, Movies and Networks in the Merged Paramount-Warner Bros: ‘Yellowstone,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Mission: Impossible’ and DC Under One RoofVariety metered
- CNN staffers accept new reality as Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros Discovery goes full steam aheadFox News
- What the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger settlement means for HollywoodPBS NewsHour - World
- Judge in Paramount-State AGs Case Still Has Questions, Schedules Hearing on Settlement TermsVariety metered
- Paramount-Warner Bros. Settlement to Be Considered at Thursday Court HearingThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Slams Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger: “Shameful Monument to Corruption”The Hollywood Reporter metered
- Newsom denies pressuring California AG into Paramount settlement after liberal backlashFox News
- Why California Was Willing to Cave to ParamountThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- Paramount will need to release way more movies to make this merger workThe Verge
- CNN Chief Says He’s ‘Enthusiastic’ About Staying Under Paramount, But Not Sure He CanVariety metered