Rob Bonta Says No ParamountTalks Scheduled After He Canceled Session

Key Points:

• California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated there are currently no scheduled negotiations with Paramount regarding a potential settlement of the antitrust challenge to its proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, following a canceled meeting due to alleged leaks.
• Bonta accused Paramount of leaking false information about settlement discussions to the press, calling such actions unacceptable and damaging to confidential negotiations, while Paramount denied being the source of any leaks.
• The leaked details reportedly included demands to keep the studios separate and to divest some cable networks, though earlier conversations between parties had taken place with California Governor Gavin Newsom acknowledging ongoing discussions.
• Bonta emphasized that confidentiality is crucial under federal law to allow candid and productive settlement talks, and clarified that the governor was not responsible for the leaks, placing responsibility solely on Paramount.
• The merger is currently blocked by a lawsuit from Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general, with a federal judge issuing a temporary restraining order and setting a trial for March, while Paramount remains open to resuming good faith negotiations.