Paramount-Warner Bros. merger not a done deal as judge questions settlement

Published September 24, 2026 5:14pm ET | Updated September 24, 2026 5:14pm ET



A Biden-appointed federal judge scrutinized the proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery during a court hearing on Thursday to make sure the negotiated settlement complies with federal antitrust law.

The virtual hearing came three days after California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) announced that both sides had come to an agreement to clear all remaining legal roadblocks to the $111 billion transaction. The deal needs the court’s approval before the merger can close.

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