Business & Finance
Paramount contests state antitrust lawsuit against planned Warner Bros. Discovery merger
Paramount filed a response arguing a 12-state coalition lacks authority to block the merger, according to Variety.
The short version
- Paramount submitted a formal legal response challenging an antitrust lawsuit brought by a coalition of 12 states over the Warner Bros. Discovery merger.[Variety]
- The state coalition, led by California, initially filed suit in July to stop the transaction.[Variety]
- Paramount has asked the court to require the plaintiffs to post a $1.88 billion bond to continue their litigation.[Variety]
- A joint trial covering the states' challenge and a lawsuit from the Writers Guild of America is scheduled for March 2, 2027.[Variety]
Key facts
- Paramount filed a legal response to an antitrust lawsuit brought by a coalition of states against the Warner Bros. Discovery merger.[Variety]
- California led the 12-state coalition in filing the suit to block the merger in July.[Variety]
- Paramount requested that the court order the plaintiffs to post a $1.88 billion bond to proceed with the lawsuit.[Variety]
- A joint trial for the states' lawsuit and a Writers Guild of America challenge is scheduled for March 2, 2027.[Variety]
What remains uncertain
- Paramount's lawyers indicated they may argue the 12-state coalition lacks regulatory authority over the merger, but the court has not ruled on the issue.[Variety]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.