California · Donald Trump · New York · DOJ · Ars Technica
Today’s lawsuit was filed by Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey
Compiled by KHAO Editorial — aggregated from 2 sources + 2 references discovered via search. See llms.txt for citation guidance.
◎ Multiple-sources
The US Justice Department approved the merger on June 12, saying it determined it will not harm competition or American consumers.
Key facts
- Paramount last year also reached a $16 million settlement with Trump over his claim that 60 Minutes deceptively edited a Kamala Harris interview, despite CBS releasing transcripts and camera feeds
- Warner Bros. previously committed to create 16 theatrical films in 2023 and over 20 in 2024, but ended up releasing only 11 in 2023 and nine in 2024, the lawsuit said
- A group of 12 states led by California sued Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros
- The US Justice Department approved the merger on June 12, saying it determined it will not harm competition or American consumers
Summary
A group of 12 states led by California sued Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. “The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat in the US,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said. The merger would combine two of the largest movie studios and merge streaming service Paramount+ with HBO Max. The states trying to block the deal “asked Warner Bros. and Paramount not to close the merger until after the judicial process concludes, and if they do not agree, the coalition will be filing a temporary restraining order,” Bonta’s announcement of the lawsuit said. A Semafor report yesterday said that Paramount is considering moving its corporate headquarters out of California in response to the state’s efforts to block the merger.