The money is real. One hundred ten billion dollars.
California is leading a pack of attorneys general trying to stop it. Twelve states filed suit today. Northern District of California is the venue. The target? The merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Washington said it was fine back in June. The DOJ didn’t see enough antitrust smoke to put out any fire. The state attorneys general aren’t buying it.
“The unlawful merger… would lead to higher prices.”
That’s the argument. Less choice. Lower quality. More control.
Who is suing? Bonta from California has friends in New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Washington, and several others. They want Paramount to hit the pause button. Immediately. Until the litigation plays out.
Or else. A temporary restraining order is on the table if Paramount refuses.
Here is the math they’re citing. These two entities would grab 27% of theatrical distribution. Another 27% for cable and satellite. Together that is a heavy footprint. Does it amount to a monopoly? The suits say yes. The feds say no.
Higher prices for who. You. On the sofa. In the theater seat.
It isn’t over yet.
