California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general sued to block the merger on antitrust grounds, while the Writers Guild of America filed a separate challenge. The parties are now negotiating the trial schedule, with state plaintiffs pushing for a later date than Paramount prefers. The exact timing of trial remains unsettled.
For dealmakers and their counsel, this move signals that Paramount views its legal position as stronger in a full trial than in a preliminary-injunction fight—a calculation that assumes the company can survive months of additional delay and expense. Attorneys tracking media consolidation should monitor the trial schedule and any settlement discussions, as a loss would effectively kill the transaction while a win could reshape the entertainment industry's competitive landscape. The delay also increases contractual exposure for both companies, creating pressure for resolution before trial.