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Paramount Skydance repeats request for $1.88 billion bond in merger challenge

Paramount wants states and writers to post security during antitrust litigation, Variety reports.

The short version

  • Paramount Skydance filed a renewed court request seeking a $1.88 billion bond from 12 states and the Writers Guild of America during their antitrust challenges.[Variety]
  • State attorneys general led by California's Rob Bonta oppose the bond, arguing potential delay losses stem from Paramount's agreed $7 million daily ticking fee.[Variety]
  • U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin has set a September 24 hearing to weigh the bond request ahead of a March 2027 trial.[Variety]

Key facts

  • Paramount Skydance reiterated a court demand that 12 states and the WGA post a $1.88 billion bond as security.[Variety]
  • The states, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, argued Paramount's potential financial losses are self-inflicted.[Variety]
  • State attorneys general asserted Paramount is trying to offload responsibility for its agreement to pay a $7 million daily ticking fee beginning October 1.[Variety]
  • U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin set a September 24 hearing to address the bond request.[Variety]
  • Judge Martinez-Olguin scheduled the antitrust trial to begin on March 2, 2027.[Variety]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether Judge Martinez-Olguin will grant, reduce, or deny the $1.88 billion bond request remains undetermined ahead of the September 24 hearing.[Variety]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.