Judge Delays Paramount-WBD Merger Settlement Approval Amid Opposition

A federal judge has postponed a decision on the proposed settlement for Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery's $111 billion merger, citing "outstanding questions" and delaying the sign-off.

Despite the delay, the deal is reportedly on track to close within the next two weeks following a settlement with state attorneys general. However, opposition remains, with a coalition urging the court to reject the settlement, arguing it "lessens competition" and is not a sufficient remedy. The California Attorney General's office has insisted the deal was not the result of collusion, while dealmakers suggest "tech has won" in the M&A landscape.