California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit Monday alongside 11 other states to block Paramount’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, calling it a threat to free and fair markets.
The lawsuit targets what would be one of the biggest media mergers in years, and puts real pressure on Paramount CEO David Ellison’s push to build a rival to Netflix and Disney.
WBD stock was trading up 2.37% at $27.22 at the time of filing.
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc., WBD
The states argue the combined entity would control 27% of film distribution across the U.S., 30% of blockbuster film distribution, and 27% of the basic cable channel market — channels including CNN, MTV, HGTV, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon.
Bonta said the merger “would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences.”
The U.S. Department of Justice cleared the deal last month and went further, saying it would benefit consumers and workers. That makes the state-level challenge unusual — a direct counter to the federal government’s blessing.
The deal has drawn criticism from Democratic attorneys general, with some accusing the Trump administration of giving regulatory cover to companies with ties to the White House. Paramount CEO David Ellison’s father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, has maintained close ties with President Trump. The company has also hired former Trump officials.
Paramount has called any legal challenge politically motivated.
The timeline here matters. A court ruling on the states’ claims could take months, and that delay carries a steep price tag — potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in costs for Paramount.
Under the deal terms, Paramount is on the hook for roughly $650 million per quarter in fees to WBD shareholders if the merger doesn’t close before October.
The company has warned that prolonged delays could force it to renegotiate financing, create uncertainty for its stock, or kill the deal entirely.
The states have asked Paramount to voluntarily delay closing until the legal process plays out. If Paramount refuses, the states said they will seek a court order to stop it.
Theater owners have also opposed the deal, worried that combining Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures under one roof would mean fewer films getting made. Paramount has pushed back, saying it plans to cut $6 billion in costs — mostly infrastructure, marketing, and corporate roles — while increasing output. Ellison has pledged the combined studios would release 30 films a year.
Sources told CNBC’s David Faber on Sunday that the state challenge was expected, with California leading the coalition.
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