California’s war on Paramount ramps up as state sues over $110B Warner Bros. deal — despite fears firm will ditch West Coast

NY Post ^ | 07/13/2026 | Zain Khan

[DFG]

A coalition of 12 Democratic attorneys general led by California filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to block the $110 billion merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance, despite the deal having been approved by the Trump administration.

“The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat in the U.S.,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

The legal challenge comes just days after reports that advisers close to Ellison had encouraged him to consider relocating Paramount’s headquarters and shifting as much as $30 billion in planned content spending outside California if Bonta sued to stop the merger.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues the merger would violate federal antitrust law by substantially reducing competition in the film and television industries.

The combined company would control nearly one-third of the U.S. theatrical film distribution market and almost one-third of the nation’s basic cable programming, according to the complaint.

The coalition warned it will seek a temporary restraining order if Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance move to finalize the merger before the court has a chance to rule. The attorneys general argue the deal would result in higher prices, fewer choices for consumers, reduced investment in film and television content, and diminished competition for movie theaters and cable providers.

The lawsuit represents the most significant legal threat facing the merger after the Trump Department of Justice approved the acquisition in June without requiring the companies to sell any assets or accept behavioral conditions.

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: california; davidellison; demagogicparty; gavinnewsom; paramount; robbonta; warnerbros

[FLT-bird]

They absolutely should ditch Commiefornia.

[butlerweave]

They don’t need no stinking California they can make their horrible movies in a basement using green screen ,LOL

[HombreSecreto]

I thought interstate commerce regulation was a federal function?

Wonder after the merger they are now definitely leaving CA?

[Vision]

"The coalition includes the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington alongside California."

These activist libtard states are concerned the media's Dem propaganda machine will be turned off. The corruption is astounding.

[TheDon]

Toss out the lawsuit as they lack standing to file it.

[virgil]

They’d prefer that Commieflix acquire Warners. That monopoly would be okie dokie with them, and if they can’t have Warner’s then let it go down the drain. Assinine.

[gibsonguy]

It is so ridiculous. Paramount is not even conservative, not by any stretch.

[bigbob]

No standing. Dismissed with prejudice..

[lastchance]

“The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television,...”

So what exactly would change?

[lastchance]

“The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues the merger would violate federal antitrust law by substantially reducing competition in the film and television industries.

The combined company would control nearly one-third of the U.S. theatrical film distribution market and almost one-third of the nation’s basic cable programming, according to the complaint.”

If the above is indeed factual I believe they have a valid case and wonder what role Trump played in approving the merger.

[GOPJ]

Texas and Florida are ready, willing and supportive of people and companies fleeing Commiefornia...

[Wuli]

It is effectively “Interstate Commerce” and states cannot block mergers of multi-state companies. They come under Federal law.

[Pilsner]

"The combined company would control nearly one-third of the U.S. theatrical film distribution market and almost one-third of the nation’s basic cable programming, according to the complaint.”

In other words, contracting, indeed dying, industries are consolidating. Might as well whinge that:

The combined company would control nearly one-third of the U.S. sheet music theatrical film distribution market and almost one-third of the nation’s residential block ice for food preservation basic cable programming, according to the complaint.”

[Lockbox]

“The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television

DUDE! Have you watched Apple TV, Netflix and Amazon Prime lately? The ‘entertainment’ can’t get much worse!

Side note, Politicians trying to make a name for themselves, this one will back fire and be the final nail in Hollywood’s coffin. I love politicians who have never had to turn a profit, meet payroll or pay an invoice TELL someone how to run a company!

[No name given]

EVERYONE should ditch Commiefornia.

[No name given]

Good for them.

[johniegrad]

merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat

So what?

[wafflehouse]

“The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television

zero watchable content minus some amount is still zero

[maro]

I believe the States have concurrent jurisdiction.