Paramount and California AG Bonta Reportedly in 'Advanced Talks' to Settle Antitrust Suit

Primary Journalistic Dispatch & Direct Reporting

The two sides have discussed Paramount potentially agreeing to run Warner Bros. studio separately for some period of time, per the Wall Street Journal

In-Depth Developments & Factual Context

David Ellison's Paramount Skydance is in "advanced talks" with California Attorney General Rob Bonta to settle the 12-state antitrust suit that's holding up its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery , the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing anonymous sources.

Industry Impact & Strategic Analysis

However, Bonta has previously said that running the two companies separately - but under common ownership - would be a mere "behavioral" remedy, and that he is looking for a structural remedy that would entail separate ownership.

Forward Outlook & Market Perspective

RELATED STORY: Who is Rob Bonta and Why is California's Attorney General Suing to Block Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger?

A judge has scheduled a trial in the matter for March 2027. Paramount had requested that the 12 states - and the Writers Guild of America, which also has filed an antitrust suit seeking to block the Paramount-WBD deal - post a $1.88 billion bond to cover its potential losses from a "ticking fee" payable to WBD shareholders (starting as of Oct. 1 at a rate of $7 million per day) if Paramount ends up prevailing in court. A hearing on the bond motion is set for Sept. 24.

Ellison's $111 billion pending deal for Warner Bros. Discovery is being bankrolled in part by his mega-billionaire father, Larry Ellison, as well as the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. On Thursday, the FCC approved Paramount's petition to allow 49.5% of its equity to be held by foreign entities if the Warner Bros. Discovery is consummated.

David Ellison has internally told Paramount execs he's seriously considering relocating the company's operations - including, over a longer time horizon, its studio - out of California if Paramount is unable to close the Warner Bros. deal by the end of September. He's floated the possibility of moving the company to Tennessee, Texas or Georgia.

Reporting synthesized and verified under Nexvoro.tech editorial guidelines. Full primary records referenced via Google News US Entertainment.