California settles lawsuit against Paramount/Warner merger, angering advocates
State AGs had "very strong" case that merger is illegal, Lina Khan says.
California has reportedly agreed to a settlement allowing the completion of its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, despite the deal being deemed illegal by Democratic lawmakers and media advocates. The state Attorney General's lawsuit challenging the merger's legality is reportedly very strong, according to Lina Khan, who previously chaired the Federal Trade Commission during the Biden administration.
Khan expressed concern over the possibility of the state settling for behavioral remedies, as such measures have historically failed. The stakes are particularly high given that a robust democracy relies on open markets for sound journalism and creative expression. Settlement talks reportedly began over the weekend after four states that opposed the deal's terms conceded, according to Bloomberg.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Paramount clears the last major hurdle to buying Warner Bros. Discovery by settling the lawsuit brought by 12 states businessinsider.com
- Paramount Skydance reaches antitrust deal with states over Warner Bros. Discovery purchase cbsnews.com
- California settles lawsuit against Paramount/Warner merger, angering advocates arstechnica.com
- Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. merger theverge.com
- Paramount settles lawsuit with US states, helping clear way for $110bn merger with Warner Bros bbc.co.uk
- Paramount reaches deal with states to settle case challenging Warner buyout: Source abcnews.com
- Paramount makes concessions to salvage $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal npr.org
- Paramount clears hurdle to $110bn Warner Bros merger after settlement news.sky.com
