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Paramount and California schedule settlement talks over Warner Bros. merger

A federal magistrate ordered both sides to submit October conference dates as key remedy disputes persist.

Updated Sep 11, 2026 · 19:48 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • Paramount and California officials will meet for a two-day settlement conference in late October to discuss the state's antitrust challenge to Paramount's $111 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
  • U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson instructed the parties, alongside the Writers Guild of America, to finalize conference dates by the following Tuesday.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • Significant differences remain, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta insisting on structural divestitures while Paramount has offered behavioral pledges like guaranteed theatrical releases.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • The discussions precede a trial set for March 2 in Oakland, while Paramount faces a daily $7 million ticking fee to Warner Bros. shareholders starting October 1.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]

Key facts

  • Paramount and California Attorney General Rob Bonta are slated to hold a two-day settlement conference at the end of October.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
  • The Writers Guild of America will be included in the scheduled settlement discussions.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • California Attorney General Rob Bonta maintains he will only agree to structural remedies that require divesting parts of the combined business.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • Paramount has proposed behavioral concessions, such as guaranteeing the release of at least 30 movies with 45-day theatrical windows.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • A daily $7 million ticking fee owed by Paramount to Warner Bros. shareholders takes effect on October 1.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
  • The antitrust lawsuit is currently set to go to trial on March 2 in Oakland.[Variety]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether the parties can reconcile California's demand for structural divestitures with Paramount's behavioral concession proposals remains unknown.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • The specific dates in late October for the settlement meeting are yet to be reported and finalized.[The Hollywood Reporter]

Sources

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