California cancels talks with Paramount over Warner Bros merger, NYT reports
Bonta said Paramount leaked settlement details and misrepresented talks as state attorneys general pressed for structural remedies in the antitrust case.
- On Monday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled the scheduled mediation meeting with Paramount regarding the $111 billion Warner Bros Discovery acquisition, citing the company's bad faith in leaking settlement details.
- A 12-state coalition led by Bonta challenges the merger, arguing consolidation would grant the company excessive power across cable television and movie production.
- Demanding "structural remedies," the coalition seeks asset sales, while Paramount faces a $7 million daily "ticking fee" if the merger fails to close by Oct. 1.
- Bonta accused Paramount leadership of "demonstrating a lack of good faith" regarding leaked discussions, yet left the door open for future meetings, stating his office is "happy to meet again."
- The parties remain deadlocked as they approach an antitrust trial scheduled for March 2027, with Paramount reportedly threatening to relocate its headquarters from California if the legal challenge forces the deal to trial.
81 Articles
81 Articles
California cancels talks over $110 billion Paramount-Warner deal, citing ‘bad faith’
California Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled settlement talks with Paramount Skydance over its proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, accusing the company of leaking and misrepresenting confidential discussions. Paramount denied the allegation and said it remains ready to negotiate. The lawsuit remains a key obstacle to completing the deal.
California AG Cancels Meeting with Paramount as Entertainment Giant Eyes Relocation to Tennessee
California Attorney General Rob Banta on Monday canceled a publicly announced meeting planned between his office and the Paramount Skydance Corporation, reportedly accusing the entertainment giant of "playing games." Banta leads California in a 12-state lawsuit seeking to block Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery., but on Monday was planning to hold settlement talks with the company. The lawsuit was notably filed despite an investigat…
Rob Bonta Says Warner Bros. Merger Settlement Talks Could Happen This Week if Paramount Shuts Down Leaks
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is open to coming to the negotiating table as early as this week, but only if Paramount Skydance agrees to “stop leaking and stop misrepresenting through their leaks” to the press, he said in an exclusive interview with TheWrap on Monday. Bonta spoke to TheWrap’s Lucas Manfredi and Sharon Waxman after abruptly canceling his scheduled mediation session with Paramount. When asked if talks could restart this we…
Paramount Denies Leak Came From Them After Rob Bonta Cancels Merger Talks
The war of words between Paramount Skydance and California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery merger just took another turn. Hours after Bonta abruptly canceled a planned Monday meeting with Paramount CEO David Ellison and accused the company of leaking confidential settlement discussions to the press, Paramount has now issued a direct denial. According to Variety, Paramount said Monday that it was not responsibl…
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