States Seek Emergency Restraining Order as Judge Schedules Paramount-WBD Merger Hearing

A federal judge has set a Friday hearing on an emergency motion filed by a dozen state attorneys general seeking a temporary restraining order to block the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts, assigned to the case, scheduled the hearing for 10 a.m. PT and gave Paramount until Thursday noon to file its opposition, Deadline reported.

DeadlineFederal Judge Sets Friday Hearing on States' Emergency Bid to Block Paramount-WBD Merger

"A dozen state attorneys general have filed an emergency motion seeking a temporary restraining order to halt Paramount's proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, citing antitrust concerns."

The emergency motion adds to a growing pile of legal and regulatory challenges facing the megadeal, which Bleeding Cool noted is valued at $110 billion and involves Paramount Skydance (led by David Ellison) and Warner Bros. Discovery (led by David Zaslav). The California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 12 other states are behind the antitrust lawsuit, according to Bleeding Cool.

In a separate development, the Writers Guild of America has also filed a lawsuit related to the merger, Bleeding Cool reported. The WGA's action underscores the broad opposition the deal has drawn from industry stakeholders concerned about consolidation in entertainment.

The Friday hearing will be a key early test for the states' bid to halt the transaction before it proceeds further. Judge Pitts will consider whether to grant the emergency restraining order while the broader antitrust challenge moves through the courts.