Organization
The Court's September 9 order sets September 25 as the response deadline for 12 state attorneys general. A separate district-court bond hearing is set for September 24. Neither date grants the complaint, resolves its merits nor approves or blocks the transaction.
Read this story →Paramount filed replies supporting its bond request and says approvals in 69 territories leave the lawsuits as the final obstacle. It claims delay could cost up to $1.88 billion, including $7 million per day beginning October 1. Those figures are Paramount's assertions, not court findings; the judge has not granted a bond or ruled on the merger, and a hearing is scheduled for September 24.
Read this story →In a September 3 statement to Parliament, the UK culture secretary formally recorded that she would not issue a public-interest intervention notice after Paramount strengthened earlier assurances through a legally binding deed. The undertakings protect a diverse range of UK broadcast and on-demand services, distinct editorial identities and specified news programming, with annual compliance statements and departmental monitoring. The government also declined intervention on foreign-state-influence grounds absent new information. The merger is not thereby completed or globally cleared.
Read this story →Speaking at the DVF Awards in Venice, Fonda said the pending transaction would lead to fewer jobs, higher consumer prices and fewer places for creators to sell projects. She also said she knows and likes Paramount Skydance chief David Ellison because of Grace and Frankie, but that relationship does not change her opposition. Her remarks are predictions, not proof of those outcomes or a new regulatory decision.
Read this story →Twelve state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America filed opposition August 31, asking the court to deny Paramount's $1.9 billion request or set a nominal $10,000 bond. They argue no material change justifies revising the parties' stipulation and that the case serves public interests. Paramount disputes that view. A September 24 hearing is scheduled, and the judge has not ruled on the bond or the merger's lawfulness.
Read this story →The coalition launched a public petition on August 27 asking the 12 attorneys general suing over the transaction to reject behavioral concessions and take the case to its scheduled March 2027 trial. The petition cites labor and competition-policy research, but it is advocacy: no attorney general accepted its position, no settlement proposal was disclosed and the trial timetable did not change.
Read this story →The Iowa and Montana attorneys general filed a motion asking the U.S. Supreme Court to enjoin the 12-state antitrust lawsuit challenging the pending transaction. They requested a September 15 response deadline and an October 9 conference. The filing creates a separate court route after California cancelled a settlement meeting, but the Supreme Court has not agreed to hear the dispute or altered the March 2027 antitrust trial.
Read this story →Reuters reported on August 25 that California Attorney General Rob Bonta cancelled a planned Monday settlement meeting after confidential details appeared in the press. Bonta said no talks are now scheduled but left open a later good-faith meeting; Paramount denied being the source of the leaks. The report does not establish who leaked information or that negotiations are permanently over.
Read this story →TheWrap relayed Bloomberg reporting on August 25 that investment bankers have approached would-be New Line buyers and that Warner Bros. Discovery cable networks are attracting interest. The information comes from unnamed people familiar with private discussions; Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery declined to comment. No owner has confirmed a formal sale process, bid or authorized divestiture.
Read this story →Attorney General Rob Bonta told TheWrap that talks could resume if Paramount stops alleged leaks and misrepresentations. He said a structural remedy could put a significant portion of the combined companies' roughly 50 basic-cable channels under separate ownership; Paramount denied leaking and said it remains ready for good-faith talks.
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