Judge Clears Jeffrey Kessler to Defend Paramount's $110 Billion Warner Bros. Deal
Updated
Updated · Hollywood Reporter · May 23
Judge Clears Jeffrey Kessler to Defend Paramount's $110 Billion Warner Bros. Deal
5 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · May 23
A federal judge approved antitrust litigator Jeffrey Kessler to represent Paramount in a consumer lawsuit seeking to block its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The suit, filed by Paramount subscribers last month, argues the merger would cut competition in streaming, news and theatrical distribution; plaintiffs moved Wednesday for a preliminary injunction.
Kessler called the complaint baseless and said it showed no credible antitrust case, joining a defense team led by former DOJ antitrust chief Makan Delrahim and other veteran merger lawyers.
His addition strengthens Paramount's courtroom bench as the consumer case becomes the first formal challenge to a deal the company still does not expect the Justice Department, states or foreign regulators to contest.
As states successfully block federally-cleared deals, can a legal 'dream team' save the $110 billion Paramount merger?
With $79 billion in debt, will Hollywood's biggest merger create a titan or trigger a creative collapse?
Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery $111B Deal Faces Legal, Regulatory, and Creative Industry Opposition
Overview
The Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger faces major legal and regulatory challenges, with state attorneys general, led by California's Rob Bonta, considering a lawsuit to block the $111-billion deal. Bonta has publicly called the merger 'problematic,' warning it could lead to layoffs and raise antitrust concerns. While Paramount does not expect immediate legal action from federal or foreign regulators, it is preparing a strong defense team. This situation highlights the growing scrutiny of large media mergers, as government officials and industry stakeholders worry about job losses, reduced competition, and the broader impact on the entertainment industry.