Paramount Agrees To Freeze $81 Billion Warner Deal Until 2027 After Judge Flags 'Serious Questions'

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to delay their $81 billion merger until June 1, 2027, or a court ruling on states' antitrust challenge.

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín granted a temporary restraining order after finding states raised serious questions about the deal lessening competition.

Democratic states led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta are pursuing an antitrust trial to block the merger, arguing it would extinguish Hollywood competition.

The Writers Guild of America also filed a lawsuit to block the merger, citing harm to movie and TV writers.