Paramount In Advanced Settlement Talks With California's Attorney General -- WSJ

By Jessica Toonkel

Paramount is in advanced settlement talks with California officials aimed at resolving the antitrust lawsuit that stands in the way of the company's $81 billion deal to acquire rival Warner Bros. Discovery, according to people familiar with the matter.

A dozen Democratic-led states led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued in July to block the deal on antitrust grounds, arguing that the combination of Paramount and Warner would create too much concentration in the markets for theatrical films and cable television channels.

Paramount leaders are eager to close the deal, which would dramatically reshape the entertainment industry, uniting two of the movie business' oldest studios, two major streaming services in Paramount+ and HBO Max and dozens of television networks. The talks are ongoing and there is no guarantee that an agreement will be reached.

Updates to follow as news develops.

Write to Jessica Toonkel at jessica.toonkel@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 18, 2026 18:04 ET (22:04 GMT)