Judge delays ruling on Paramount-WBD merger settlement
(KYMA) - A federal judge has delayed a ruling on a settlement regarding the merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
During a hearing Thursday, Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín asked both Paramount and the 12 state attorneys general to respond to concerns mentioned in Sen. Cory Booker's (D-N.J.) letter by Monday, September 28, at noon.
Prior to the hearing, Judge Martínez-Olguín granted an emergency motion filed by the Block the Merger Coalition to delay the settlement.
"All amicus briefs must be filed on the docket by no later than 12:01 a.m. PST on September 25, 2026. This deadline will not be extended, and tardy submissions will not be considered," the judge ruled.
In response to both the coalition's emergency motion and Sen. Booker's letter, Paramount filed an opposition motion, saying in part, "The Court's role is not to determine whether it (or a nonparty) might have drafted different terms or considers some terms less than ideal; the question is whether the decree represents a 'reasonable factual and legal determination.'"
On Monday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who led the antitrust lawsuit, held a press conference to announce the settlement between the attorneys general and Paramount over the latter's merger with WBD.
"Let me be clear: This settlement is not a vote of support for this merger. But we believe this settlement, which resolves our antitrust concerns in every market alleged in our case, protects competition and consumer choice, and puts workers' needs, concerns, and futures first, is the best course of action," said Attorney General Bonta.
As part of the settlement, Bonta said it included an annual film release commitment, domestic production, independent film fund, protection for workers, cable agreements and ongoing monitoring.
In addition, Paramount must establish a News Editorial Independence Board for CNN, which is owned by WBD, and CBS News, which Paramount owns.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who was also part of the lawsuit, issued a statement on the settlement.
"This settlement will support Arizona businesses, including local movie theaters, by ensuring films get theatrical releases that bring audiences through their doors and boost the neighboring shops and restaurants around them," said Attorney General Mayes. "I'm proud to have fought for Arizona's businesses."
As a result of the settlement, the Writers Guild of America has also agreed to drop its lawsuit blocking the merger.
