{
  "id": 8970006,
  "title": "Paramount clears the last major hurdle to buying Warner Bros. Discovery by settling the lawsuit brought by 12 states",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/paramount-clears-the-last-major-hurdle-to-buying-warner-bros",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-21T17:26:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/paramount-skydance-lawsuit-settlement-warner-bros-discovery-deal-david-ellison-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paramount Skydance is set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, overcoming the final hurdle in their merger discussions. Twelve states had previously sued to prevent the deal, citing concerns over antitrust issues. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Monday that Paramount had settled the lawsuit, agreeing to release 30 movies annually for the next two years, followed by 32 movies per year for the following three years. The settlement also includes a pledge to increase domestic production in California and New York if state film tax incentives are passed. Bonta emphasized that the settlement does not endorse the merger but highlights Paramount's commitment to maintain editorial independence for CBS News and CNN. The $110 billion merger would make David Ellison's Paramount Skydance a dominant force in Hollywood, controlling Warner Bros. Studio, HBO, HBO Max, and networks like CNN, TBS, and HGTV. The deal was set to close by the end of September to avoid paying a significant \"ticking fee\" to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders.",
  "summary": "David Ellison's Paramount Skydance has settled the lawsuit that was stopping its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.",
  "key_points": [
    "Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery finalize $110B merger",
    "California AG settles antitrust lawsuit, agreeing to release 30 movies annually for two years",
    "Settlement includes pledge to increase domestic production in California and New York"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/8970006.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Paramount clears hurdle to $110bn Warner Bros merger after settlement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/paramount-clears-hurdle-to-110bn-warner-bros-merger-after-settlement",
        "published": "2026-09-21T14:54:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ars Technica",
        "title": "California settles lawsuit against Paramount/Warner merger, angering advocates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/california-settles-lawsuit-against-paramount-warner-merger-angering",
        "published": "2026-09-21T16:15:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "Paramount makes concessions to salvage $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/paramount-makes-concessions-to-salvage-111-billion-warner-bros",
        "published": "2026-09-21T16:40:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Paramount reaches deal with states to settle case challenging Warner buyout: Source",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/paramount-reaches-deal-with-states-to-settle-case-challenging-warner",
        "published": "2026-09-21T17:27:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Business",
        "title": "Paramount settles lawsuit with US states, helping clear way for $110bn merger with Warner Bros",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/paramount-settles-lawsuit-with-us-states-helping-clear-way-for-110bn",
        "published": "2026-09-21T17:34:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Paramount settles antitrust suit, clears way for Warner deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/paramount-settles-antitrust-suit-clears-way-for-warner-deal",
        "published": "2026-09-21T17:41:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Verge",
        "title": "Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. merger",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/paramount-settles-lawsuit-blocking-110-billion-warner-bros-merger",
        "published": "2026-09-21T17:42:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Paramount Skydance settles with 12 states over acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/paramount-skydance-settles-with-12-states-over-acquisition-of-warner",
        "published": "2026-09-21T18:15:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}