Judge Halts Paramount And Warner Bros Merger

A federal judge called for a temporary halt to the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger on Monday, as a state coalition stresses it would violate federal antitrust law, triggering a spate of higher prices and fewer movies and TV shows. Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin acceded to a 14-day restraining order after hearing argument from both sides on Friday morning. Paramount had previously agreed not to close the transaction before July 22. The 12-state coalition, led by California, pushed for a motion for the temporary restraining order. The states are also chasing a preliminary injunction, which would block the merger until the judge rules on the merits of the states’ lawsuit.

The plaintiffs, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, sued to block the merger July 13, claiming in a 38-page complaint that it would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood.

“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.,” Bonta said in a statement accompanying the court filing. Celebrities such as Mark Ruffalo and Ben Stiller have added their voices to a concerned chorus who warn the merger could lead to major layoffs and a diminished job market.

Paramount-Warner Bros Merger Deal's Implications

Bonta and his fellow Democratic attorneys general argue that the transaction vehemently violates Section 7 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, a federal law that bars mergers likely to substantially strike out competition.

In a statement Monday, a Paramount spokesperson emphasised the company is “confident the evidence will demonstrate that the State AGs’ antitrust arguments are without merit as their alleged markets and claims of anticompetitive effects are without any basis in modern market realities.” Paramount has singled out the success of new entrants — A24, Amazon MGM and others — to defend its pursuit, insisting that the theatrical market is more competitive and dynamic than the state case makes it appear. Combining Paramount and Warner Bros is poised to end a century of terrific rivalry between two of Hollywood's biggest hitmakers. Between them, they own legendary franchises like Harry Potter, Batman, Mission: Impossible, and Top Gun, as well as TV channels CNN, MTV and Nickelodeon.

“This merger is lawful, pro-competitive, and will benefit consumers, creators, workers, and the entertainment industry. We will continue to vigorously defend the transaction and will look forward to the hearings on the substance of the State AGs’ action,” the Paramount statement asserts. The next court hearing dates are slated for August.