Paramount Preps California Exit Amid State AGs’ Warner Bros. Merger Battle

Paramount Skydance settled lawsuits with state attorneys, clearing its $110B merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal, expected to close by September 30, includes penalties for film release failures and editorial board independence for CNN and CBS. Regulatory approvals are already in place, but legal challenges had previously delayed the merger until 2027.

Twelve states, including Colorado, settled lawsuits against Paramount's $81B acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal requires the merged company to increase film output, invest $1.5B in domestic production, and create a $47.5M fund for affected workers. Pending court approval, the settlement aims to address competition concerns.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement for the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, securing worker protections. IATSE praised the agreement, which includes enforceable commitments to preserve jobs and support production. The deal follows a review by state attorneys general on the merger's impact on competition and workers.

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery reached a settlement with 12 states, resolving a legal challenge to their $110B merger. The deal includes commitments to release 30-32 films annually, establish independent editorial boards, and invest $1B in U.S. production. Shares of both companies rose over 10% on the news.

Paramount and California Attorney General Rob Bonta settled an antitrust lawsuit, clearing the way for Paramount's $111-billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal requires Paramount to distribute 30 films annually and invest $1.5 billion in Hollywood production over five years. The merger, subject to court approval, will combine major film studios and streaming services, with Paramount taking on significant debt.

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery plan to settle a lawsuit with state attorneys general, allowing their $110 billion merger to proceed. The settlement includes independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS, and a $30 million penalty per film if Paramount fails to release 30 movies annually. The deal, previously delayed until 2027, is expected to close by Sept. 30, combining major film studios and streaming services.