General news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
California AG Rob Bonta canceled Monday's Paramount settlement talks, accusing the company of leaks.
The $110 billion Warner Bros. merger faces antitrust hurdles and a ticking fee if.
Background
California's attorney general is part of a multi-state lawsuit seeking to block Paramount's $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. The lawsuit, filed last month by twelve state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America, challenges the merger of two major entertainment conglomerates. Bonta had agreed to settlement talks after Paramount's owner threatened to move the company out of California, but he canceled the meeting, accusing Paramount of leaking information.
How it unfolded
- recentlyTwelve state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America filed a lawsuit challenging the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
- earlier this monthIn a closed-door meeting, Paramount's owner threatened to move the company out of California unless Bonta opened settlement talks.
- Mon, 24 Aug 2026California AG Rob Bonta canceled a scheduled meeting with Paramount Skydance, accusing the company of 'playing games' and leaking information.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- California AG Rob Bonta said he 'pulled down this meeting' because Paramount was 'playing games' and leaking information.
- Company
- Paramount's owner had threatened to relocate the company unless settlement talks began, according to a source in a closed-door meeting.
Still unverified
The threat to move Paramount out of California is based on a source who was in a closed-door meeting but wasn't authorized to speak on the record.