Californias war on Paramount ramps up as state sues over $110B Warner Bros. deal despite fears firm will ditch West Coast

A coalition of 12 Democratic attorneys general led by California filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to block the $110 billion merger between Warner Bros.Discovery and Paramount Skydance, despite the deal having been approved by the Trump administration.“The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat in the U.S.,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.The lawsuit, filed in the U.S.

District Court for the Northern District of California, argues the merger would violate federal antitrust law by substantially reducing competition in the film and television industries.The combined company would control nearly one-third of the U.S.theatrical film distribution market and almost one-third of the nation’s basic cable programming, according to the complaint.The coalition warned it will seek a temporary restraining order if Warner Bros.

Discovery and Paramount Skydance move to finalize the merger before the court has a chance to rule.The attorneys general argue the deal would result in higher prices, fewer choices for consumers, reduced investment in film and television content, and diminished competition for movie theaters and cable providers.The lawsuit represents the most significant legal threat facing the merger after the Trump Department of Justice approved the acquisition in June without requiring the companies to sell any assets or accept behavioral conditions.

Federal antitrust regulators concluded the review after Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison met with Justice Department officials, leaving state challenges and approvals from regulators in Europe and the United Kingdom among the final remaining hurdles.In the complaint, the attorneys general argue the merger would combine two of Hollywood’s five largest film distributors and two ...