Paramount/WBD merger delayed for months as states' lawsuit moves toward trial

Paramount Skydance has agreed to delay its $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery until after a court rules on antitrust claims.

The deal cannot close or begin operational integration until five days after that ruling, or June 1, 2027 at the latest.

The lawsuit, backed by 12 states and the Writers Guild of America, argues the merger could hurt competition in film and cable TV.

The delay keeps two major media companies separate while the court case moves toward trial in federal court in California.