Supreme Court should reject Iowa, Montana bid to expedite Paramount-WBD case, Calif. argues

Norah O'Donnell will return to 'CBS Mornings' alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson, replacing Tony Dokoupil. She urged critics of CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss to watch the show. Weiss's appointment has drawn criticism from some liberal viewers. O'Donnell will also join '60 Minutes' as a correspondent. CBS's parent company, Paramount, is set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $111 billion, pending legal approval.

Wall Street estimates an 85% chance that Paramount Skydance's (PSKY) $110B acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will succeed, despite a state antitrust lawsuit. PSKY rose 0.3%, WBD fell 0.8%. WBD trades at $28.53, below PSKY's $31 offer. A delay could cost PSKY $650M/quarter. Analysts see a 90% chance of success.

Paramount Skydance's $110-111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is stalled due to a court-ordered freeze until June 2027. The deal has U.S. DOJ approval and 70 global clearances, but 12 states and the Writers Guild of America are pursuing antitrust claims. Paramount disputes market definitions, and ticking fees of $7 million per day may apply if the deal closes late. Trial is set for March 2027, with settlement talks stalled. The merger would combine CBS News and CNN under Ellison fa

12 state AGs and the Writers Guild of America oppose Paramount's request for a $1.88 billion bond to cover potential losses from delaying its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount argues the bond is necessary to cover ticking fees and financing costs if the merger is blocked. The states claim the bond would unfairly shift costs they argue Paramount agreed to assume.

New Jersey's Attorney General Davenport, along with 11 other Democratic AGs, is suing to block Paramount Skydance's $110B acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing antitrust concerns. Meanwhile, Hudson County Democrats urge her to drop the lawsuit, arguing it threatens jobs and investments in the state's film industry. Governor Sherrill supports Paramount's presence in New Jersey but has not commented on the lawsuit.

Iowa and Montana filed an 'original action' with the Supreme Court to block a merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Brothers, valued at $110 billion, and to halt an antitrust enforcement action by 12 Democratic-led states. The Supreme Court has the authority to hear disputes between states directly, and the process involves filing a bill of complaint and potentially appointing a special master.