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Paramount Skydance’s plan to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery has hit yet another snag, as a judge has issued a two-week pause on its planned acquisition. After a coalition of 12 state attorneys–led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta–argued that the merger would violate federal antitrust law and potentially lead to higher film and TV prices, Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin placed a temporary pause on the merger.
The order could be extended from 14 to 28 days, and Paramount Skydance was originally expecting to close the deal on July 22 (via Variety). “Plaintiff States’ showing at least demonstrates that serious questions going to the merits remain, weighing in favor of preliminary injunctive relief,” Martinez-Olguin said. “Paramount and Warner Bros. will continue to operate as separate, viable companies competing in the marketplace while they wait for the Court to adjudicate this case.”
Bonta labeled the ruling as a “critical first win” in the coalition’s case (via NBC News), while Paramount Skydance has continued to insist that the lawsuit represents a “fundamentally flawed application” of antitrust laws. “With our lawsuit, we’re fighting for a free and fair market and a thriving film and television industry that serves creatives and audiences alike. We have a full
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