State AGs Ready Antitrust Suit Against Paramount-WBD Merger Before July 22 Close
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jul 8
State AGs Ready Antitrust Suit Against Paramount-WBD Merger Before July 22 Close
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jul 8
Summary
Several state attorneys general are finalizing an antitrust lawsuit against Paramount’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with a filing likely next week that could derail a targeted summer closing.
The states argue the merger would hurt competition in entertainment and news, even though the Justice Department cleared the deal last month and federal approval does not block separate state action.
In Oregon, Attorney General Dan Rayfield sought to enforce a subpoena tied to the review; Paramount told the court it would not complete the merger before July 22, and the hearing was delayed until Monday.
A court-ordered 60-day pause sought by Oregon could be overtaken by the broader multistate case, which follows months of state scrutiny including concerns raised by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
The challenge adds to pressure on Paramount after UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she was minded to intervene, testing whether states can again stall a federally cleared media deal.
After federal approval, can a handful of states actually stop a $111 billion media merger?
As states sue and foreign funds invest, is a global battle for media control just beginning?
Will merging media giants create a true competitor or just another monopoly for consumers to face?
Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery $110 Billion Merger Faces State AG Lawsuits, International Scrutiny, and Potential Asset Divestitures Amidst DOJ Approval
Overview
The Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, recently cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice after an eight-month review, now faces a major legal challenge from a coalition of state attorneys general, including California and New York. Despite federal approval, state officials are investigating concerns such as Paramount’s lobbying activities and the potential for job losses among actors, writers, and media workers. Over 5,000 entertainment industry professionals have voiced support for the state AGs’ scrutiny. This showdown highlights how state-level antitrust actions can proceed even after federal clearance, raising the stakes for the merger’s future.