{"id":49393,"date":"2026-07-26T13:19:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T20:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=49393"},"modified":"2026-07-26T13:56:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T20:56:05","slug":"huge-win-for-consumers-paramount-delays-warner-bros-deal-over-court-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/26\/huge-win-for-consumers-paramount-delays-warner-bros-deal-over-court-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Huge Win for Consumers\u2019: Paramount Delays Warner Bros. Deal Over Court Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Free<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Free press advocates project messages opposing the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger on Jazz at Lincoln Center during the News and Documentary Emmy Awards on May 27, 2026 in New York City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Photo by Eugene Gologursky\/Getty Images for Emmys Rapid Response Project)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

California\u2019s attorney general called the development \u201cgreat news for audiences, movie theaters, and the many people who write, build, and create the art, news, and entertainment so many of us enjoy.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jessica Corbett<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jul 24, 2026 (CommonDreams.org)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paramount Skydance on Friday officially delayed its attempted acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery after a federal judge in the Northern District of California temporarily blocked<\/a> the $111 billion deal at the request of a dozen Democratic attorneys general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

US District Judge Araceli Mart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn granted the temporary restraining order on Monday after finding that the plaintiffs\u2014led<\/a> by California Attorney General Rob Bonta\u2014provided \u201ccompelling evidence that the combined firm resulting from the transaction will possess substantial market share in the wide-release theatrical distribution market.\u201d She extended<\/a> the order on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RECOMMENDED…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"'Keep<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Keep Up the Fight\u2019: Federal Judge Pauses Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Block<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2018No One Is Above the Law\u2019: 12 States Sue to Block Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The companies have now agreed not to close the deal\u2014also the target<\/a> of a Writers Guild of America lawsuit\u2014until five days after a trial is held or June 1, 2027, whichever is sooner. While the attorneys general and their supporters framed the development as a victory for their side, a Paramount spokesperson similarly said<\/a> that \u201ctoday\u2019s agreement is a significant win because the result is exactly what we have sought from the outset: a direct path to a trial based on the evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the fastest and clearest way to prove that this transaction is good for competition, good for consumers, and good for creators, a conclusion dozens of competition authorities around the world have already reached,\u201d the spokesperson continued. \u201cPlaintiffs\u2019 market definitions bear no relationship to the realities of today\u2019s marketplace and cannot withstand scrutiny. We look forward to proving our case at trial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Bonta said<\/a> in a statement that \u201cour argument against this illegal merger is straightforward: When too few corporations have too much power in markets central to American life, it makes things more expensive, and it makes things worse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday\u2019s agreement is great news for audiences, movie theaters, and the many people who write, build, and create the art, news, and entertainment so many of us enjoy,\u201d he emphasized. \u201cWe are eager to continue to make our case in court and celebrate another tremendous win in our effort to ensure this unlawful merger never sees the light of day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining Bonta in battle are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington<\/a>. They, too, celebrated on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStopping this merger while our case proceeds is a critical victory in our efforts to uphold the law and protect the film and television industries,\u201d New York\u2019s Letitia James\u00a0stressed<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0social media<\/a>. In a video, New Jersey\u2019s Jennifer Davenport also called the companies\u2019 decision \u201ca huge win for consumers\u201d and pledged to \u201ccontinue to fight to block this merger for good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

BREAKING NEWS: Thanks to our lawsuit, Paramount and Warner Bros. are backing down and putting their merger on hold.

We won\u2019t let corporate monopolists profit at your expense\u2014driving up prices and reducing your entertainment choices. pic.twitter.com\/JLlpfUxaY5<\/a><\/p>— Attorney General Jennifer Davenport (@NewJerseyOAG) July 24, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>