Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in settling a lawsuit against Paramount Skydance Corporation over its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, which the states alleged would harm competition by lowering film output and raising prices. The settlement includes a five-year commitment to increase film output, a $1.5 billion investment in domestic production, a $47.5 million worker fund, and an independent monitor. This is an antitrust/competition enforcement action, not a privacy enforcement action, despite the extraction schema's privacy focus.
The settlement includes a five-year court enforceable commitment to increase film output (30 films/year in years 1-2, 32 films/year in years 3-5), a minimum of an additional $1.5 billion commitment to bolster domestic film production, a $47.5 million fund for workers impacted by the merger, and restrictions on cable negotiations. If Paramount fails to meet film output requirements, it must divest Miramax Studios and pay $30 million per missed film to union trust funds. The merged company must also form an independent film fund with $5 million annual contributions ($25 million total), commit $47.5 million to a Workforce Fund, honor collective bargaining agreements, and appoint an independent monitor to oversee compliance.
In-house counsel should review the merger agreement and related transaction documents to ensure compliance with the film output and domestic production commitments. Cable carriage agreements should be reviewed to ensure compliance with the new negotiation restrictions. The workforce fund and independent film fund requirements mean that HR, procurement, and vendor contracts should be reviewed to ensure proper funding and reporting. The independent monitor provision requires robust compliance and reporting mechanisms, so internal audit and compliance contracts should be updated accordingly. Additionally, collective bargaining agreements must be honored, and any contracts with unions or guilds should be reviewed for compliance with the new obligations.
Entity
Paramount Skydance Corporation
Industry
Media & Entertainment"securing a settlement with Paramount Skydance Corporation"
"Sept. 21, 2026"
"a five-year court enforceable commitment to increase film output, a minimum of an additional $1.5 billion commitment to bolster domestic film production, a $47.5 million fund for workers who are impacted by the merger"
"joins the attorneys general of California, Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington"
"Read the proposed consent decree (PDF)"
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that a stipulation filed in federal court stops Paramount and Warner Bros. from merging until the court rules on the merits or until June 1, 2027, whichever comes first. The action stems from a lawsuit filed by a coalition of a dozen state attorneys general challenging the proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. A prior temporary restraining order had already halted the merger for 14 days.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield secured a temporary restraining order blocking Paramount Skydance Corporation's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The lawsuit, joined by 11 other state attorneys general, alleges the merger would harm Oregonians through higher prices, lower content quality, and reduced competition in film and television distribution.
A coalition of 12 state attorneys general, led by Colorado AG Phil Weiser, obtained a temporary restraining order from a federal court in California to halt the proposed $110 billion merger of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in film distribution, anticipated blockbuster film distribution, and licensing cable TV channels.
Attorney General Tong joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to block the proposed $110 billion merger of Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance, alleging it violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act. The court granted a temporary restraining order halting the merger while it considers a preliminary injunction.
Oregon Attorney General Rayfield and a coalition of 11 other attorneys general filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to block the $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in theatrical film distribution and basic cable television licensing, which would lead to higher prices and reduced content quality for consumers.
Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in suing to block the $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in theatrical film distribution and basic cable television licensing, which would harm consumers through higher prices and reduced quality.