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Judge Approves $110B Merger Settlement With 12 AGs

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 2:10 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Judge Clears Merger

A federal judge approved a settlement with 12 state attorneys general, clearing the regulatory hurdle for $110 billion merger.
Settlement requires $1.5 billion investment in U.S. TV and film production over five years.
Combined company must release at least 30 theatrical films annually and keep separate cable agreements.
Ynon Kreiz will become co-CEO on Oct 5, handling day-to-day integration.
David Ellison will stay chairman and CEO, directing long-term strategy and capital allocation.

Summary

Kreiz Secures Mega Deal

Ynon Kreiz’s five-year contract starts Oct 5, 2026 with a $5 million base salary after the merger closes.
He will receive a $31.5 million signing award of restricted stock units and 1.25 million Class B shares pre-closing.
Annual bonus targets increase from $1.5 million pre-merger to $4.9 million once the deal finalizes.
First-year compensation is projected above $46.5 million, far exceeding his 2025 Mattel package of $15.1 million.

Summary

Ruffalo Condemns Merger

Mark Ruffalo condemned the $111 billion merger, saying it will stifle creativity, free speech, and cost jobs.
The L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity reported 2,495 Los Angeles jobs and 6,000 global jobs at risk.
Larry Ellison personally guaranteed $46.7 billion in equity financing for the Warner Bros. Discovery takeover.
Sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will own 38.5% of the merged company.

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Judge Clears Merger

A federal judge approved a settlement with 12 state attorneys general, clearing the regulatory hurdle for $110 billion merger.
Settlement requires $1.5 billion investment in U.S. TV and film production over five years.
Combined company must release at least 30 theatrical films annually and keep separate cable agreements.
Ynon Kreiz will become co-CEO on Oct 5, handling day-to-day integration.
David Ellison will stay chairman and CEO, directing long-term strategy and capital allocation.

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