Story perspectives

Paramount, Warner Bros. Pause $81B Merger Amid Lawsuits

7/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to pause the $81 billion merger until June 1 2027 or until attorneys-general and Writers Guild lawsuits are resolved.
Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin extended the restraining order through August 17.
Paramount must pay Warner Bros. Discovery $650 million each quarter the merger does not close and $7 million per day after September 30.
New York Attorney General Letitia James called the pause a “victory,” saying the merger harms workers and consumers.

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Story summary

Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to pause the $81 billion merger until June 1 2027 or until attorneys-general and Writers Guild lawsuits are resolved.
Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin extended the restraining order through August 17.
Paramount must pay Warner Bros. Discovery $650 million each quarter the merger does not close and $7 million per day after September 30.
New York Attorney General Letitia James called the pause a “victory,” saying the merger harms workers and consumers.