Judge Temporarily Blocks Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery ‘Megamerger’

A federal judge on Monday granted a 14-day temporary restraining order to block Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The move comes after a dozen Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit on July 13 to halt the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin — who then-President Joe Biden nominated in 2023 — wrote Monday in the order that the states “present compelling evidence that the combined firm resulting from the transaction will possess substantial market share in the wide-release theatrical distribution market.”

“On this combined firm market share alone, the Court is persuaded that it can presume the proposed merger is likely to violate antitrust laws,” according to the order.

“My office and attorneys general nationwide have secured an emergency order blocking the unlawful merger of Warner Bros. and Paramount. This is a critical first win in our case to ensure this megamerger never sees the light of day,” Democratic California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement on Monday. “History tells the tale of what happens when a few people have great power over markets that are central to Americans’ lives: fewer opportunities for more people, worse products and services for all people.”