Paramount+ Subscribers Fail to Block Warner Bros. Merger
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- A group of Paramount+ subscribers failed to secure a preliminary injunction to block the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, with Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin citing lack of evidence and doubts about the plaintiffs' standing.
- A coalition of 12 state attorneys general will attempt to obtain a temporary restraining order on Friday, arguing that the $111 billion merger harms competition in theatrical and basic cable markets.
- Paramount opposes the states' motion, asserting that the merger is unlikely to be successfully challenged and emphasizing the lack of evidence in the subscribers' lawsuit.
- The subscribers' attorney, Joseph Alioto, has filed multiple similar lawsuits against major mergers but has lost all, while Paramount seeks to dismiss the current suit; the judge is considering potential amendments based on discovery from the states.
- The private subscribers' case is linked to the states' lawsuit, allowing Judge Martinez-Olguin to oversee both matters concurrently.
