The Block the Merger Coalition asked a federal court on Sept. 24 to reject Paramount’s settlement with 12 state attorneys general over the proposed Paramount Skydance–Warner Bros. deal, filing an emergency amicus brief that argues the consent decree is inadequate, court papers and coverage show. “Block the Merger Coalition Asks Court to Reject Paramount’s Settlement With States Over Warner Bros. Deal” is the topic under review here.
The coalition — led by groups including Free Press and the Committee for the First Amendment — won a last-minute order allowing it to file amici briefs opposing the consent decree, Block the Merger coalition files legal request to oppose Paramount–Warner deal reports and Variety details. The filing urges the judge to deny approval of the settlement reached between Paramount and the state attorneys general, arguing the proposed remedies do not protect competition.
The order granting the coalition leave set a tight schedule for amici briefs: TheWrap reported the court required all amicus briefs to be filed by 12:01 a.m. PT on Friday after the emergency motion was granted. Deadline and IndieWire covered the emergency filing and the court’s short timetable for opposition papers.
Paramount reached a settlement with a group of state attorneys general that had sued to block the deal, and news outlets including CNBC reported the company and the states negotiated concessions as part of a consent decree. The Block the Merger brief contends those concessions are insufficient and asks the court to reject the agreement in favor of a fuller review of competitive harms.
Legal observers described the filing as part of a broader push by public-interest organizations to ensure any settlement limits vertical or horizontal consolidation in media. Variety reported the brief was filed late Thursday and named organizations including the Freedom of the Press Foundation among the amici.
Why it matters: if the court declines to approve the consent decree and instead requires a full hearing or trial, the proposed deal between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery could face a longer legal road and additional remedies beyond those negotiated with the states, reporting by CNBC and Variety explains.
Sources
- Variety — reported the Block the Merger amicus brief and named participating groups.
- TheWrap — described the court order allowing late amici filings and the 12:01 a.m. PT deadline for briefs.
- CNBC — reported that Paramount reached a settlement with a group of state attorneys general over the proposed merger.
- Deadline — covered the coalition’s emergency motion and the judge’s response.
- Free Press — announced the coalition’s motion and its win to file an amicus brief opposing the settlement.
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