Paramount and Warner Bros pause $110bn merger amid legal challenge

Until a judge reaches a final verdict – or until 1 June 2027 – the Hollywood studios will remain completely separate, competing operations.

Paramount Agrees to Delay Warner Bros. Merger for Months

The company agreed to a proposed freeze until June 2027, unless a judge issues a ruling before then on a lawsuit blocking the deal.

By Benjamin Mullin, David McCabe and Lauren Hirsch

Paramount agrees extensive delay in Warner Bros deal after states’ lawsuit

Media groups freeze merger until as late as June 2027 as court weighs objections to tie-up

Paramount agrees to pause $110bn Warner Bros merger as case plays out

Twelve states led by California had obtained temporary restraining order blocking merger from closing for 28 days Paramount ⁠Skydance ⁠has agreed to ​pause its $110bn acquisition ⁠of ​Warner ‌Bros ‌Discovery until a ‌ruling on several states’ challenge ‌to the deal, or ​until 1 June ⁠2027, according ​to court ​papers ​filed ​on Friday. A group of 12 US states headed by California obtained a temporary restraining order earlier this week that blocked the merger from closing for 28 days, pending...

By Guardian staff and agencies

Paramount says it will pause its Warner acquisition while legal challenges play out

A dozen states and the Writers Guild of America had challenged the merger.

By David Folkenflik

Paramount agrees to pause Warner Bros deal while court case plays out

The delay, filed in court on Friday, can cost Paramount $1.7bn in fees if the deal is not closed by next June.

Paramount agrees to delay closing Warner Bros. buyout for months while judge considers states' challenge

Paramount on Friday agreed to delay closing its $81 billion US buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery well into next year, as a judge continues to consider a challenge from 12 states seeking to block the deal altogether.

Paramount agrees to delay WBD acquisition to as late as June 2027 amid legal challenge

Paramount agrees to delay Warner Bros. merger amid lawsuit

Paramount has agreed to freeze its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery until as late as June 2027. Twelve states have argued that the deal would create a "media behemoth" that would harm the US entertainment industry.

Paramount Skydance agrees to freeze its WBD mega-merger while the antitrust cases are decided

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images; Mario Tama/Getty Images Paramount Skydance has agreed to pause its mega-merger with Warner Bros. Discovery until five days after the antitrust cases are ruled on, or until June 1, 2027, whichever comes sooner, the company said on Friday. "Today's agreement is a significant win because the result is exactly what we have sought from the outset: a direct path to a trial based on the evidence," a Paramount spokesperson said in a statement. The spokesperso...

Paramount Faces Drawn-Out Battle With State AGs: ‘They Saw the Writing on the Wall’

Only a few days ago, the states’ antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger still looked like a speed bump. Now, it looks more like siege warfare — as Paramount has agreed to put the $111 million deal on hold for at least several months. In doing so, Paramount’s lawyers have effectively conceded that they […]

By Todd Spangler

Paramount delays $81 billion Warner buyout amid legal challenge from 12 states

Paramount agreed to delay its Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition until at least 2027. This postponement follows a court order pausing the merger process. A coalition of states filed a lawsuit seeking to block the proposed deal. They argue the merger would substantially lessen competition in Hollywood. Paramount views this as a win, allowing a trial based on evidence.

By TOI BUSINESS DESK

Paramount Agrees to Hold Off on Warner Bros. Merger Until After Antitrust Trial

The studio and coalition of states looking to block the deal reached a truce on when Paramount can close the deal, if at all.

By Winston Cho

Amazon Hit With Poaching Lawsuit By Warner Bros. Discovery Over Hire Of HBO Max Marketing Exec Pia Barlow

Warner Bros. Discovery is waging legal war against Amazon, accusing the tech giant of “hurriedly seeking to pirate away a number of contracted employees” from multiple divisions. The impetus for the complaint, filed July 21 in California Superior Court, is the hire by Amazon MGM Studios of Pia Barlow, EVP Originals Marketing for HBO Max, […]

By Nellie Andreeva

Paramount delays $110 billion Warner Bros. merger as lawsuit seeking to block deal moves forward

Paramount agreed to delay the deal through June 2027.

Paramount and Warner Bros. Deal Officially Paused, Could Be on Hold Until June 2027

Paramount has agreed to postpone its Warner Bros. merger until after the conclusion of an antitrust trial, which could keep the deal from closing until June 2027.

By Michael Cripe

The Batman 2 Delay: Should Fans Be Worried?

The Batman Part II: The Delay Could Help The Movie. Warner Bros. has pushed The Batman Part II to February 2028, extending the gap between Robert Pattinson's first outing as the Dark Knight and his long-awaited return. While another delay is frustrating, it doesn't necessarily signal a production in crisis.

By SR Staff