Paramount-WBD Merger Cleared
A judge cleared the final hurdle for Paramount-WBD's $81 billion merger to close.
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Updated Sep 30, 8:32pm ETEvery side, every morning
A free recap of the day’s biggest stories and how each side covered them.
What happened
A federal judge approved Paramount Skydance’s settlement with 12 state attorneys general, clearing the last legal obstacle to its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Soon after, Paramount named outgoing Mattel chief Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO of the combined company, starting October 5, while David Ellison remains CEO and chairman. The settlement ends a July lawsuit by California and other Democratic-led states that sought to block the merger over antitrust concerns. The judge called the consent decree fair and sound, with film-output rules, news oversight, worker money and facility commitments. Ellison said Kreiz will manage integration. Paramount expects the merger to close October 6.
How each side covered it
From the left
Left-leaning coverage treated the ruling as the final step before a fast close, while lingering on consolidation and newsroom independence concerns. CNN emphasized that Paramount had entered the final stages of the deal and linked Kreiz to the “Barbie” era as Ellison’s operating partner. Al Jazeera framed the approval against fears about media consolidation’s long-term effects.
From the right
Right-leaning coverage framed the ruling as the practical clearance of a blockbuster media combination, stressing compromise over alarm. Breitbart News cast the settlement as the last hurdle before closing, while the Washington Examiner highlighted the judge’s view that it addressed alleged competitive harms. The New York Post dwelled on Kreiz as a management boost for Ellison.
Headlines
Left7
US judge approves settlement allowing Paramount to acquire Warner Bros
Federal judge allows Paramount-Warner merger to move forward
The new and huger Paramount has a new co-CEO
Judge approves Paramount’s settlement with states over Warner buyout, allowing merger to soon close
Judge Okays Paramount’s Settlement With State AGs
Center17
Judge allows Paramount to close $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery
Judge approves Paramount's settlement with states over Warner buyout, allowing merger to soon close
Mattel’s Ynon Kreiz Named Co-CEO at Paramount-Warner
Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal Cleared Despite Merger Opposition
Judge approves Paramount's settlement with states over Warner buyout
Right4
Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger to Close Next Week After Judge Approves Settlement With Democrat AGs
Judge approves settlement of Paramount-Warner Bros. merger
Judge approves Paramount settlement with states, clearing way for Warner Bros mergerAlso today
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