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Judge Pauses $111B Paramount-Warner Deal Over Antitrust Concerns

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín issued an order that may halt Paramount’s $111 billion Warner Bros Discovery deal for up to 28 days as an injunction is reviewed.
Attorney General Rob Bonta (AG) and 11 states say the merger would control 27 % of box-office revenue, 30 % of films, and one-quarter of cable revenue.
Paramount CEO David Ellison warned that missing September 30 deadline would trigger a $650 million fee and could raise rental fees and ticket prices.

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Story summary

Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín issued an order that may halt Paramount’s $111 billion Warner Bros Discovery deal for up to 28 days as an injunction is reviewed.
Attorney General Rob Bonta (AG) and 11 states say the merger would control 27 % of box-office revenue, 30 % of films, and one-quarter of cable revenue.
Paramount CEO David Ellison warned that missing September 30 deadline would trigger a $650 million fee and could raise rental fees and ticket prices.