Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Cleared After Judge Approves Antitrust Settlement

The proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery has cleared a major legal hurdle after a federal judge approved a settlement resolving an antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 US state attorneys general.

US District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín approved the agreement on Wednesday, 30 September, allowing Paramount to move towards completing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal is expected to close on 6 October.

The settlement, negotiated between Paramount and the state attorneys general, includes a series of commitments intended to address concerns surrounding competition, employment and film production. Paramount has agreed to release at least 30 films annually during the first two years of the agreement, including 20 wide releases, rising to 32 films a year for the following three years. At least four films each year must be independent productions.

The merged company will also commit an additional $1.5 billion to US film production over five years and establish a $47.5 million fund for workers affected by the merger. The agreement also includes provisions concerning negotiations over Paramount’s basic cable channels.

Another significant condition concerns news coverage. An editorial independence board will oversee CNN and CBS News, with the aim of protecting independent and fact-based journalism from interference by the companies’ ownership.

The merger has faced sustained opposition from sections of Hollywood, including actors and filmmakers concerned about consolidation and its potential impact on jobs and creative diversity.

Following Wednesday’s ruling, actor Mark Ruffalo criticised the decision on social media, arguing that the merger would harm creativity, free speech and employment. Ruffalo has previously joined other Hollywood figures in publicly opposing the transaction.

Paramount has also announced that Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz will become co-CEO of the combined company alongside David Ellison.

With the court settlement now approved, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are preparing for the final stages of a deal that will bring major film, television, streaming and news properties under one corporate umbrella.

About the Author

Megan Hilborne

Author

Megan is a freelance writer and film critic based in Portsmouth. She graduated with a degree in Film in 2020 and has continued her study of the medium in her day-to-day life. She takes particular interest in indie, horror, feminist and queer cinema. Some of her writing credits include an interview with Academy Award winner Sean Baker and Time’s 2025 Most Influential People inductee Mo Abudu.

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