Judge Extends Pause on Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger for Extra 14 Days
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- A federal judge extended the order blocking the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger for 14 more days, preventing the deal from closing before August 18.
- A hearing on August 3 is scheduled to consider a preliminary injunction that could block the $111 billion merger indefinitely, with Paramount requesting more time to present its case.
- A coalition of 12 state attorneys general alleges the merger violates antitrust laws by reducing competition, while the Writers Guild of America argues it will suppress writers’ pay and homogenize content.
- Paramount seeks a three-day evidentiary hearing in late August to cross-examine witnesses, but the states want a ruling without a lengthy hearing, citing insufficient preparation time.
- The judge encouraged the parties to reach an agreement and ruled that the WGA’s injunction motion will be considered on the same schedule as the states’ motion during the August 3 hearing.
