Judge Pauses Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger After 12 States Sue to Block Deal

A federal judge has temporarily paused Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery after 12 U.S. states sued to block the deal, giving the states more time to argue that the $81 billion transaction would hurt competition in the media and entertainment industry. The lawsuit, led by California and joined by states including New York and Washington, says the merger could weaken competition in film distribution and across major studio and newsroom businesses. The pause keeps the deal on hold for at least two weeks while the court considers whether to impose a longer restraining order. The case has become a high-profile test of how aggressively state regulators can challenge large media mergers even after federal approval.