12 US states sue to block Paramount‑Warner Bros. $110 billion merger
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by eleven other states, filed a federal lawsuit in Northern California on July 13 to block Paramount Skydance’s $110‑$111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The complaint argues the deal would violate the Clayton Act by substantially reducing competition in wide‑release theatrical film distribution, blockbuster releases and basic‑cable licensing, giving the combined company control of roughly 27‑30 % of those markets. States claim this would lead to higher prices, lower quality and less content for movie theaters, cable distributors and consumers. The suit seeks a temporary restraining order and asks the companies not to close the transaction until the case is resolved. The Justice Department had approved the merger weeks earlier, finding no antitrust concerns. Actors, writers, theater owners and labor groups have also opposed the deal, fearing job cuts and reduced film output. Oregon’s attorney general withdrew his request to delay the merger, removing one legal obstacle, but the remaining states continue to press for an injunction that could delay or block the $110 billion transaction and affect Paramount’s planned content‑spending and fee structure.