fighting

Judge pauses Paramount Skydance’s Warner Bros. acquisition amid antitrust suit

A federal judge issued a temporary 14-day pause (potentially extendable to 28 days) on Paramount Skydance’s planned purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery after a 12-state coalition led by California AG Rob Bonta raised antitrust concerns. The court said serious questions remain and ordered Paramount and Warner to continue operating separately while the case proceeds. Paramount Skydance calls the lawsuit flawed and argues the deal— which would include Warner Bros. Games and major IP— is necessary to compete with Disney and Netflix.

• 14-day pause on the merger, possibly extended to 28 days
• 12-state coalition led by CA AG cites antitrust and price concerns
• Paramount calls the lawsuit flawed and says the deal boosts competitiveness
• Deal would transfer Warner Bros. Games and key game/film IP to Paramount