Cory Booker To Hold Hearing On Paramount
Deadline • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) will hold a spotlight hearing on the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, inviting Paramount CEO David Ellison to testify, though Ellison declined due to a family funeral.
- The hearing will feature witnesses including documentary winner David Borenstein, Writers Guild legal director Michael Isaac, attorney Katie Phang, and Mara Verheyden-Hilliard from the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, linked to opposition efforts.
- Over 2,000 industry professionals, including Edward Norton and Florence Pugh, have signed an open letter opposing the merger, organized by groups like Jane Fonda’s Committee for the First Amendment and Democracy Defenders Fund.
- Paramount argues the merger is procompetitive, claiming it will increase theatrical and streaming content, create more opportunities for creatives, and enhance competition against rivals like Netflix.
- Booker emphasized the importance of Paramount making its commitments directly to Congress and stakeholders, highlighting promises to back bold creative projects and expand avenues for creators.
