US judge halts Paramount Skydance's $110 bln Warner Bros Discovery deal until Aug 17

Published Jul 23, 09:39 PM UTC

A federal judge in Oakland, California, has ordered Paramount Skydance to pause its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery through August 17, 2026. The ruling gives Paramount more time to argue against a potentially longer delay while the case proceeds. The company warns that a prolonged pause could cost over $1 billion and create deal uncertainty. A California-led coalition of states has sued to block the merger, arguing it would harm competition in film and television, negatively impacting theaters and cable companies. Separately, the Writers Guild of America has filed a lawsuit claiming the deal would reduce demand for screenwriting work. Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín had previously paused the deal through August 3, with a hearing scheduled on whether to extend the postponement. Paramount has requested a three-day hearing in August to present evidence that the deal enhances competition before the judge decides on a longer pause.