California calls off Paramount settlement meeting as media giant eyes Tennessee for new headquarters

California Attorney General Rob Bonta scrapped Monday’s planned settlement talks with Paramount as the media giant weighs bolting the Golden State — with Tennessee reportedly emerging as its preferred landing spot.Bonta pulled the plug late Sunday after accusing Paramount of leaking and mischaracterizing details from a preliminary meeting between the two sides on Friday.Bonta did not specify what information he believed Paramount had leaked, but his accusation came hours after the Wall Street Journal reported details of Friday’s discussions — including that he was expected to seek cable-channel divestitures and protections designed to keep Warner Bros.’ movie studio separate from Paramount Pictures.“Not only did Paramount leak the alleged substance of settlement discussions, but they misrepresented these discussions, demonstrating a lack of good faith,” Bonta said in a statement to the New York Times.“As soon as Paramount stops playing games and engages sincerely, my office is happy to meet again.”The Post has sought comment from Bonta.

A Paramount rep declined to comment.The collapse of Monday’s sit-down comes as Paramount has indicated it could ditch California if the legal standoff isn’t resolved soon — with Tennessee emerging as the company’s preferred destination for a new home, according to the Wall Street Journal.The Post also reported that Ellison has been eyeing a prospective movie and television studio in Austin, Texas, where Paramount and its partners have been in advanced negotiations over a potential facility.Monday’s session was intended only to test whether there was room for further talks, rather than to hammer out a deal.Still, the planned talks had offered a potential path toward resolving an increasingly bitter showdown that has put Bonta at odds with Paramount CEO David Ellison — and drawn pressure from California Gov.Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to find a solution.Among the concessions Bonta plann...