The story so far
Paramount-Warner Merger Paused
Tracked across 6 sources · Updated 1d ago
A federal court pauses Paramount Skydance's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery after a lawsuit by 12 US states alleging antitrust concerns. Despite EU approval, Paramount agrees to delay until 2027. Actors and UK government raise further opposition.
How it unfolded
3d ago
Actors urge UK to block the merger
6d ago
Paramount agrees to pause deal until 2027
22 Jul 2026
EU regulator approves deal with conditions
21 Jul 2026
Court pauses $110B Paramount-Warner merger
What happened earlier
Latest updates
Latest
Full story →Why Paramount paused its $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery merger deal
Paramount paused its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery to fast-track a full court trial instead of litigating preliminary legal issues.
State attorneys general sued in mid-July to block the merger over competition concerns, arguing it would reduce competition in the entertainment industry and give too much control over theatrical movie releases.
Paramount's proposal, made by lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, keeps the merger on hold until at least June 2027 while the trial proceeds.
Paramount, now led by David Ellison, believes a direct trial is the fastest path to completing the merger; the delay affects brands including CNN, HBO, and Warner Bros. studio.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the pause "great news" as states are eager to argue their antitrust case against the deal.
Earlier · 20 Jul 2026
Full story →Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal Temporarily Paused by Federal Judge
A federal judge temporarily paused the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal.
The merger involves Paramount Skydance Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.
The deal is valued at $110 billion.
The legal halt suggests potential regulatory or antitrust concerns.
The pause affects the timeline of the proposed acquisition.
Earlier · 22 Jul 2026
Full story →Federal court pauses $110B Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger
A federal judge temporarily paused the $110 billion Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
The pause follows a lawsuit filed by 12 U.S. states opposing the merger.
The merger would combine Paramount, Skydance, and Warner Bros. Discovery media assets.
Earlier · 22 Jul 2026
Full story →PSKY stock soars on EU approval of Warner deal
European Commission approved Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Approval subject to structural commitments to maintain competition in theatrical film distribution in Europe.
Paramount Skydance (PSKY) stock rose following the regulatory clearance.
Earlier · 5d ago
Full story →Paramount Agrees To Freeze $81 Billion Warner Deal Until 2027 After Judge Flags 'Serious Questions'
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to delay their $81 billion merger until June 1, 2027, or a court ruling on states' antitrust challenge.
U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín granted a temporary restraining order after finding states raised serious questions about the deal lessening competition.
Democratic states led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta are pursuing an antitrust trial to block the merger, arguing it would extinguish Hollywood competition.
The Writers Guild of America also filed a lawsuit to block the merger, citing harm to movie and TV writers.
