Paramount Warner Bros. merger blocked by California antitrust suit

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California Governor Gavin Newsom urges Attorney General Rob Bonta to seek an out-of-court resolution to a state antitrust lawsuit that seeks to block Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing potential job losses in Hollywood.

Newsom raises concerns over California antitrust suit blocking Paramount-Warner deal

California Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed concerns to people close to the state's antitrust lawsuit seeking to block Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, saying the action would harm employment in Hollywood if successful.

2026-07-31 · 3 MIN READ

States sue to block $110bn Paramount-Warner Bros merger

A coalition of twelve state attorneys general, led by California, filed suit Monday seeking to block the $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., arguing the deal would concentrate Hollywood power and harm consumers through…

2026-07-13 · 3 MIN READ

Federal judge halts Paramount-Warner Bros. merger

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín on Monday granted a temporary restraining order pausing Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in response to an antitrust lawsuit filed by a dozen states.
The state attorneys general allege the merger would reduce competition, harming filmgoers, television and news consumers, and content creators.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the ruling a "critical first win in our case to ensure this megamerger never sees the light of day."
The deal would unite Paramount and Warner Bros. movie and television studios, streaming services Paramount+ and HBO Max, CBS and CNN, and more than 50 cable channels under a single parent company.

2026-07-20 · 3 MIN READ