Block the Merger push continues amid reported Paramount settlement with states

Outside the New York attorney general’s office Monday, about 20 opponents of the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros.Discovery merger gathered to urge Letitia James not to settle the states’ legal challenge to the deal.Holding signs reading “#BlockTheMerger,” the protesters — led by members of the Committee for the First Amendment, a free-speech advocacy group headed by actor Jane Fonda — called on James to “stay strong” and resist making concessions in negotiations with Paramount.But their appeal may have come too late.

As the rally wrapped up, reports circulated that a possible settlement between Paramount and the 12 states suing to block the $110 billion merger had been reached.The states, which include New York and California, argued in a 38-page complaint filed in July that the deal would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood.

Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison, has repeatedly maintained that the deal is “lawful, pro-competitive, and will benefit consumers, creators, workers, and the entertainment industry.”Representatives for Paramount did not respond to requests for comment.The New York and California attorneys general offices also did not respond.The rally was one of three planned merger opposition events — one was held in Oakland outside California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office Sunday; and an additional rally is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Tuesday outside the Writers Guild of America office.“We just want to thank everyone for listening, we want people to spread the word and let everyone know: this merger is bad,” said Bruce Cohen, a producer who was among the rally attendees and speakers on Monday.

“It’s bad for Hollywood, it’s bad for workers, it’s bad for democracy.”A Paramount water tower; California Attorney General Rob Bonta.Getty Images fileParamount executives have been eager to wrap up the deal as soon as possible partly because the company agreed to pay Warner Bros.shareholders a “tick...