Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. merger

<figure> <img alt="Paramount logo on a blue background." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/STKB385_PARAMOUNT_B.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Paramount has reached a settlement with California and the 11 other states that sued to block its <a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/886478/warner-bros-discovery-paramount-merger-agreement">planned $110 billion acquisition</a> of Warner Bros. Discovery. The settlement removes a major roadblock standing in the way of the massive media merger.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">According to the <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28661670-california-v-paramount-skydance-proposed-consent-decree/">proposed consent decree</a> filed with the court, it includes requirements like minimum numbers of theatrical film releases over the next five years, starting with 30 in year one and two, and 32 in the following years, and a commitment to spend at least $300 million more on production in the US compared to what the companies spent in 2025.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">It also has rules for the negotiations over …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/998302/paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>