Paramount agrees to delay closing its Warner Bros buyout for months while judge considers challenge

Paramount has agreed to freeze its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery until as late as June 2027. Twelve states have argued that the deal would create a "media behemoth" that would harm the US entertainment industry.

Paramount agreed to delay the deal through June 2027. Paramount Skydance said Friday that it has agreed to delay the company’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery amid a pending lawsuit from 12 state attorneys general to block the merger.

The company and the attorneys general said in a court filing that both sides have agreed to halt the merger until a judge’s... Skydance-owned Paramount on Friday agreed to delay closing its $81 billion buyout of Warner Bros. In a court filing, Paramount said it wouldn’t close its US$81 billion buyout until five days 'after the merits determination in these matters' or June 1, 2027.

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Paramount Skydance agreed on Friday to delay its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery while a United States (US) lawsuit seeking to block the deal moves forward. If the merger eventually closes, the new combined company would reshape the entertainment and media industry, in addition to delivering a major win to its owners, the Ellison family, who are close allies of US President Donald Trump.

Paramount agreed to delay the deal through June 2027, the company said in a court filing on Friday. The Trump administration approved the blockbuster deal on June 12 without demanding a single change, clearing the way for one of the largest media mergers in years. A federal judge in California ordered the companies to temporarily pause deal in a ruling on Monday, just two days before the European Union gave the merger a conditional green light.

Paramount announced Friday afternoon that its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery will be delayed for many months, and potentially well into 2027, due to pending lawsuits by state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America. The company agreed to a proposed freeze until June 2027, unless a judge issues a ruling before then on a lawsuit blocking the deal.