US judge blocks Paramount's $110B Warner Bros. Discovery merger temporarily
US District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín in Oakland, California, temporarily blocked Paramount Skydance's proposed $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery for 14 days.
The pause was granted after California and 11 other US states argued the deal could reduce competition in the entertainment industry.
The states claim the merged company would control about 27% of the US theatrical movie market and could raise prices in film and television.
Paramount and Warner Bros. had aimed to close the merger by July 22, 2026.
Paramount disputes the lawsuit, arguing the states misrepresent antitrust law and the industry faces disruption.
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Hindustan Times
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