🔥 Trending event · 20 sources

Paramount settles antitrust lawsuit with 12 states over Warner Bros. deal

First reported September 21, 2026 by Variety · covered by 20 sources

In short

Paramount has reached a settlement with 12 US state attorneys general who sued to block its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The agreement removes a major legal obstacle to completing the merger. Paramount made concessions as part of the settlement.

Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros California Hollywood Rob Bonta

Written by our news service from the 20 sources below, updated September 23, 2026.

Timeline

Sep 21, 14:56 UTC · Variety
Paramount Settles Antitrust Case With State A.G.’s, Removing Obstacle to Warner Bros. Deal ↗
Sep 21, 14:59 UTC · CNBC
Paramount and state AGs will settle lawsuit, allowing Warner Bros. merger to proceed, reports say ↗
Sep 21, 15:15 UTC · Business
Paramount settles with US states over Warner Bros merger ↗
Sep 21, 16:40 UTC · NPR
Paramount makes concessions to salvage $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal ↗
Sep 21, 16:52 UTC · The Guardian
Paramount settles lawsuits with 12 US states, clearing way for Warner merger ↗
Sep 21, 16:54 UTC · Deadline
Watch California AG Rob Bonta’s News Conference On Paramount Settlement Agreement Here ↗

Tone of coverage

How the 20 sources covering this story frame each entity. One source, one vote.

Paramount1 · 18 · 1

neutralABC News — “Paramount has reached a settlement with a group of state attorney generals that had sued to challenge the company’s buyout” ↗
neutralBusiness — “Paramount Skydance has reached a settlement with California and other states” ↗
neutralThe Hollywood Reporter — “creating an entertainment colossus” ↗
neutralDeadline — “Wall Street Remains Cautiously Optimistic About WBD Merger” ↗
neutralBBC — “Paramount has reached a settlement with the US states in a lawsuit challenging its $110bn merger with Warner Bros” ↗
neutralCNBC — “The antitrust lawsuit threatened to delay Paramount's acquisition until mid-2027” ↗
favorableThe New York Times — “How Paramount Won Warner Bros.” ↗
neutralCourthouse News — “Paramount settles with state AGs over Warner Bros. merger” ↗
neutralThe Guardian — “Paramount settles lawsuits with 12 US states, clearing way for Warner merger” ↗
neutralFortune — “Paramount on Monday agreed to settle an antitrust lawsuit” ↗
neutralEngadget — “clearing the way for its Warner Bros. acquisition” ↗
neutralFrance 24 — “agreed to settle their lawsuits on Monday, effectively paving the way” ↗
criticalThe Verge — “Paramount will need to release way more movies to make this merger work” ↗
neutralNPR — “Paramount settles lawsuit with 12 states” ↗
neutralCBC News — “Paramount settles with U.S. states over Warner Bros. merger” ↗
neutralAl Jazeera — “Paramount settles with US states in step towards merger with Warner Bros” ↗
neutralBusiness Insider — “the company had settled the lawsuits that were holding up its deal” ↗
neutralCryptoBriefing — “Paramount settles lawsuits, clears path for $110B Warner Bros. acquisition” ↗
neutralThe Hill — “Paramount has reached an agreement to settle with 12 states” ↗
neutralVariety — “Paramount has reached a deal with 12 state attorneys general that removes a major obstacle” ↗

Warner Bros0 · 12 · 1

neutralBusiness — “its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery” ↗
neutralBBC — “Paramount has reached a settlement with the US states in a lawsuit challenging its $110bn merger with Warner Bros” ↗
neutralCNBC — “allowing Warner Bros. merger to proceed, reports say” ↗
criticalThe New York Times — “How Paramount Won Warner Bros.” ↗
neutralCourthouse News — “Paramount settles with state AGs over Warner Bros. merger” ↗
neutralFortune — “Paramount ... agreed to settle an antitrust lawsuit ... blocking the company's $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery” ↗
neutralEngadget — “clearing the way for its Warner Bros. acquisition” ↗
neutralFrance 24 — “creating a Hollywood empire spanning television, news and cinema” ↗
neutralThe Verge — “Paramount has reached a settlement with California and the 11 other states that sued to block its planned $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery” ↗
neutralCBC News — “two of Hollywood's oldest studios” ↗
neutralAl Jazeera — “step towards merger with Warner Bros” ↗
neutralCryptoBriefing — “$110B Warner Bros. acquisition” ↗
neutralVariety — “closing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery” ↗

Warner Bros. Discovery0 · 3 · 0

neutralDeadline — “Paramount has settled an antitrust lawsuit ... the last obstacle to closing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery” ↗
neutralNPR — “merge with Warner Bros. Discovery” ↗
neutralBusiness Insider — “settled the lawsuit that was stopping its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery” ↗

Rob Bonta0 · 2 · 1

criticalDeadline — “Rob Bonta was cagey when asked about the exact timeline” ↗
neutralNPR — “who headed up the suit” ↗
neutralVariety — ““Rob Bonta defended the antitrust settlement”” ↗

CNN0 · 2 · 0

neutralFortune — “create a board for editorial independence at CNN, CBS” ↗
neutralVariety — “CNN Oversight and More” ↗

Labels are assigned per article by our news service with ≥ 60% confidence and a supporting quote. How it works.

All coverage

Paramount Settles Antitrust Case With State A.G.’s, Removing Obstacle to Warner Bros. Deal

Paramount has reached a deal with 12 state attorneys general that removes a major obstacle to closing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal comes just before the company was to begin accruing a $7 million daily “ticking fee” on Oct. 1, which was seen as an important milestone in the case. Bloomberg was […]

Paramountneutral

Bloomberg Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 21, 2026 · byVariety

Paramount and state AGs will settle lawsuit, allowing Warner Bros. merger to proceed, reports say

The antitrust lawsuit threatened to delay Paramount's acquisition until mid-2027 and to cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars in fees.

Paramountneutral

Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 21, 2026 · byCNBC

Done! Paramount Settles Antitrust Suit, Set To Seal Deal For Warner Bros. Discovery

Paramount has settled an antitrust lawsuit brought by a dozen State Attorneys General led by California’s Rob Bonta, the last obstacle to closing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Deadline has confirmed. Details were scant but there will be concessions. The deal should be formally announced later this morning. Deadline hears that Paramount has agreed […]

Warner Bros. Discoveryneutral

California Paramount Rob Bonta

Sep 21, 2026 · byDeadline

Paramount settles with US states over Warner Bros merger

Paramount Skydance has reached a settlement with California and other states suing to block its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Paramountneutral

California Paramount Paramount Skydance

Sep 21, 2026 · byBusiness

Paramount makes concessions to salvage $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal

Paramount's owners have made concessions to 12 Democratic state attorneys general to settle a lawsuit that endangered the media company's bid for its larger Hollywood rival, Warner Bros. Discovery.

Warner Bros. Discoveryneutral

Hollywood Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 21, 2026 · byNPR

Paramount settles lawsuits with 12 US states, clearing way for Warner merger

States including California and New York sued over concerns of ‘extinguishing competition’ with $81bn merger Paramount has reached a settlement with California and several other states that sued over a proposed $81bn merger with Warner Bros Discovery ( WBD ), according to reports on Monday, clearing the way to consolidate some of Hollywood’s most recognizable TV networks and studios under one owner. Though the merger was approved by the justice department in June, a coalition of 12 states, led by California, had sued over concerns that combining two of the five last legacy studios in Hollywood would “extinguish competition” and lead to fewer movies in theaters and on streaming platforms. Continue reading...

Paramountneutral

California Hollywood New York

Sep 21, 2026 · byThe Guardian

Watch California AG Rob Bonta’s News Conference On Paramount Settlement Agreement Here

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is expected to reveal details of the settlement agreement between Paramount and 12 state attorneys general over the pending $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. You can watch the livestream above. The road to a resolution has been fraught. Bonta abruptly canceled a negotiation session with Paramount in late […]

California Paramount Rob Bonta

Sep 21, 2026 · byDeadline

Paramount clears the last major hurdle to buying Warner Bros. Discovery by settling the lawsuit brought by 12 states

David Ellison's Paramount Skydance has settled the lawsuit that was stopping its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Warner Bros. Discoveryneutral

Paramount Paramount Skydance Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 21, 2026 · byBusiness Insider

Paramount reaches deal with states to settle case challenging Warner buyout: Source

A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Skydance-owned Paramount has reached a settlement with a group of state attorney generals that had sued to challenge the company’s buyout of Warner Bros

Paramountneutral

Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 21, 2026 · byABC News

What’s in the Paramount Settlement With States: Commitment to Not Sell Studio Lots, Additional $300M U.S. Film Production Investment, CNN Oversight and More

The details of Paramount’s deal with 12 states settling their antitrust case — paving the way for its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, the biggest merger in Hollywood history — have been revealed. Among the top-line items: Paramount is agreeing to keep its operations in California and has committed to not sell the Paramount Studios […]

CNNneutral

CNN California Hollywood

Sep 21, 2026 · byVariety

Paramount settles lawsuit with US states, helping clear way for $110bn merger with Warner Bros

Paramount has reached a settlement with the US states in a lawsuit challenging its $110bn merger with Warner Bros

Paramountneutral

Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 21, 2026 · byBBC

Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. merger

Paramount has reached a settlement with California and the 11 other states that sued to block its planned $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The settlement removes a major roadblock standing in the way of the massive media merger. Paramount Chairman & CEO David Ellison: We are grateful to Attorney General Bonta and his […]

Paramountneutral

California David Ellison Paramount

Sep 21, 2026 · byThe Verge

Paramount settles with US states in step towards merger with Warner Bros

Ellison-led Paramount will avoid daily $7m fee if the $110bn Warner Bros merger closes by September 30.

Paramountneutral

Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 21, 2026 · byAl Jazeera

Deal Terms Revealed: Paramount, 12 States Unveil Warner Bros. Settlement Plan

The settlement clears the way for Paramount and Warners to merge, creating an entertainment colossus.

Paramountneutral

Paramount

Sep 21, 2026 · byThe Hollywood Reporter

Paramount Settlement Terms Laid Out By CA AG Rob Bonta, Who Says Deal Is “Not A Blessing” Of WBD Merger

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has revealed terms of a settlement with Paramount allowing it to acquired Warner Bros. Discovery, but stressed that the agreement is “not a blessing” of the mega-merger. Speaking at a news conference Monday, Bonta detailed a list of items to which Paramount is committed. The list ranges from stepped-up film […]

Rob Bontaneutral

California Paramount Rob Bonta

Sep 21, 2026 · byDeadline

📰

Paramount settles lawsuits, clears path for $110B Warner Bros. acquisition

The merger could reshape media landscapes, influencing content diversity, market competition, and the future of media conglomerates globally. The post Paramount settles lawsuits, clears path for $110B Warner Bros. acquisition appeared first on Crypto Briefing .

Warner Brosneutral

Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 21, 2026 · byCryptoBriefing

David Ellison Says “We Have Complete Clearance For This Merger” After Paramount-WBD Settlement With State AGs

It wasn’t quick, it wasn’t pretty, but Paramount’s David Ellison got to where he wanted, an acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by October 1 when a costly ticking fee was to come into effect. While California Attorney General Bonta was still making the announcement of the anti-trust lawsuit being settled, laying out its terms, Ellison, […]

David Ellisoncritical

California David Ellison Paramount

Sep 21, 2026 · byDeadline

Read the memo that Paramount CEO David Ellison sent to staffers after 2 settlements that clear the way for his WBD deal

Paramount Skydance's CEO confirmed to employees that the company had settled the lawsuits that were holding up its deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.

Paramountneutral

David Ellison Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 21, 2026 · byBusiness Insider

Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger

Paramount has reached an agreement to settle with 12 states that sued the media conglomerate earlier this year over its planned purchase of Warner Brothers Discovery, the two sides announced on Monday. During a press conference in Los Angeles, California Attorney General Rob Bonta — who led the coalition of state AGs suing to block…

Paramountneutral

California Los Angeles Paramount

Sep 21, 2026 · byThe Hill

Paramount settles US states' antitrust lawsuit, clearing the way for its Warner Bros. acquisition

The mega-merger of the year will apparently go forward.

Paramountneutral

Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 21, 2026 · byEngadget

Paramount settles with U.S. states over Warner Bros. merger

The $81 billion US dollar blockbuster deal will bring together two of Hollywood's oldest studios, key TV networks like CBS and CNN and streaming platforms HBO Max and Paramount+, as well as decades of libraries with titles ranging from Harry Potter to Top Gun.

Paramountneutral

CBS CNN Harry Potter

Sep 21, 2026 · byCBC News

Paramount settles with state AGs over Warner Bros. merger

Several states sued to block the merger in July, claiming Paramount and Warner Bros. would account for a quarter of Hollywood's revenue if they're allowed to merge.

Paramountneutral

Hollywood Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 21, 2026 · byCourthouse News

Paramount-Warner Bros. Settlement: What the Guilds, AGs and Activists Are Saying

After almost a year in the trenches pulling together his historic combination of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, David Ellison has finally emerged victorious. On Monday, the Silicon Valley heir confirmed he’d reached a settlement with a group of state attorneys general, who sued to block the merger over antitrust concerns. The proposed merger […]

David Ellison Paramount Skydance Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 21, 2026 · byVariety

David Ellison Hails Legal Settlement But Says “Still Work Ahead” Before Paramount-WBD Close

Paramount CEO David Ellison said Monday’s settlement of two lawsuits aimed at blocking the company’s pending merger with Warner Bros. Discovery represent “an exciting moment for our company and our industry.” However, he added in a memo to employees, there is “still work ahead to get this deal across the finish line.” (Read the full […]

David Ellisonneutral

David Ellison Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 21, 2026 · byDeadline

Rob Bonta, Facing Skeptics, Defends ‘Very Strong’ Paramount Deal

Rob Bonta defended the antitrust settlement that allows Paramount to merge with Warner Bros. on Monday, saying in a 45-minute press conference that the deal includes independent monitoring and will result in more jobs in Hollywood. But the deal does not include the three words — robust structural remedies — that California’s attorney general had […]

Rob Bontaneutral

California Hollywood Paramount

Sep 21, 2026 · byVariety

The Final Stretch: California AG Rob Bonta On How Settlement On Paramount-WBD Merger Came Together Quickly After Stalemate

Paramount’s settlement with the 12 Democratic state attorneys general appeared to be a Yom Kippur affair, with the final signoff coming after sundown on Sunday. California Attorney General Rob Bonta was cagey when asked about the exact timeline for the agreement following his Monday morning press conference announcing the deal but when he was cheekily […]

Rob Bontacritical

California Paramount Rob Bonta

Sep 21, 2026 · byDeadline

Paramount Shares Fall After Antitrust Deal, But Wall Streeters Marvel At Favorable Terms

While Warner Bros. Discovery shares soared 11%, as is often the case of a company about to be acquired, while Paramount shares stumbled on news the companies’ merger will take another two weeks to complete. The stocks’ divergent movement came after news Monday morning of a settlement between Paramount and 12 state attorneys general. A […]

Paramountfavorable

Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 21, 2026 · byDeadline

Paramount, US states settle antitrust lawsuit over Warner Bros. acquisition

Paramount Skydance has settled a lawsuit with a dozen US states that sought to block its acquisition of Warner Brothers, as well as with the Writers Guild of America. California's Attorney General said that while the settlement addressed concerns over competition and protection, it did not mean a vote of support for the deal.

Warner Brosneutral

California Paramount Paramount Skydance

Sep 21, 2026 · byFrance 24

Paramount agrees invest $1.5 billion in domestic movies and create a board for editorial independence at CNN, CBS as part of deal for Warner Bros.

Paramount on Monday agreed to settle an antitrust lawsuit filed by 12 states, the last big obstacle blocking the company's $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Paramountneutral

CBS CNN Paramount

Sep 21, 2026 · byFortune

Paramount settles with US states, clearing path for Warner Bros. merger

Paramount has reached a settlement with California and 11 other states that clears a major legal hurdle to its $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, with the deal imposing commitments on film production, jobs and editorial independence at CNN and CBS News.

Warner Brosneutral

CBS News CNN California

Sep 21, 2026 · byFrance 24

Paramount settles with US states to clear Warner Bros. mega-merger

Paramount has reached a settlement with a group of US states that clears the way for its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, officials announced Monday, creating a Hollywood empire spanning television, news and cinema.

Warner Brosneutral

Hollywood Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 21, 2026 · byFrance 24

California AG Rob Bonta discusses Paramount's settlement with states over merger plan

Twelve states' attorneys general settled their lawsuit with Paramount over its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. NPR's A Martinez speaks with California AG Rob Bonta, who headed up the suit.

Paramountneutral

California Paramount Rob Bonta

Sep 22, 2026 · byNPR

California Attorney General Bonta says states made demands in Paramount-Warner deal

The settlement brings a two-month legal fight over Paramount's Warner Bros. Discovery takeover closer to an end.

California Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 22, 2026 · byNPR

Paramount settles lawsuit with 12 states over Warner Bros. Discovery merger

Paramount has struck a deal with a dozen state attorneys general that clears a way for the studio to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Paramountneutral

Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 22, 2026 · byNPR

States settle lawsuit with Paramount, paving way for Warner merger

Twelve states and Hollywood writers challenging Paramount’s buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to settle their lawsuits on Monday, effectively paving the way for the $81 billion mega merger to cross the finish line, with some new commitments from the company.

Paramountneutral

Hollywood Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 22, 2026 · byFrance 24

How Paramount Won Warner Bros.

Inside the settlement talks between the media mogul David Ellison and the coalition of states seeking to block his $111 billion deal.

Paramountfavorable

David Ellison Paramount Warner Bros

Sep 22, 2026 · byThe New York Times

Paramount Shares Tick Up After Settlement As Wall Street Remains Cautiously Optimistic About WBD Merger

A day after the stunning news of an antitrust legal settlement clearing Paramount’s path to close a landmark merger, the company’s stock ticked up 2% amid cautious Wall Street optimism. Shares in Paramount ended Tuesday’s trading at $10.11, down almost 25% in 2026 to date. The stock slumped late in the day Monday despite the […]

Paramountneutral

Paramount

Sep 22, 2026 · byDeadline

Paramount will need to release way more movies to make this merger work

Now that Paramount has reached a settlement with the 12 states that were suing to block its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the studio is even closer to becoming one of the world's biggest production houses. In addition to spending at least $300 million more on film and TV projects produced in […]

Paramountcritical

Paramount Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 22, 2026 · byThe Verge

Judge in Paramount-State AGs Case Still Has Questions, Schedules Hearing on Settlement Terms

Paramount’s deal with the 12 state attorneys general to settle their antitrust lawsuit over the Warner Bros. Discovery merger is not official just yet: The judge in the case has some “outstanding questions” about the settlement, which requires her approval before it takes effect. In an order issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin granted […]

Paramount United States Warner Bros. Discovery

Sep 23, 2026 · byVariety