Advocacy groups urge judge to block $111B Paramount/WBD merger settlement

A coalition of free speech and media advocacy groups asked Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín to reject California's settlement with Paramount Skydance, which would let the company finalize its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. They argue the deal's conditions give the public "virtually nothing" and fail to address antitrust harms.

• Twelve states led by California sued to block the deal in July 2026
• The settlement requires no divestitures, only behavioral commitments
• Paramount pledges to release 30 films a year, including four independent ones
• Each missed film triggers a $30 million penalty and Miramax divestiture