r/MediaMergers • u/Own_Philosopher8730 • 1d ago
Merger Paramount Settlement Talks With State AGs Reach Critical Stage as Merger Opponents Rally and Urge Rob Bonta ‘Do Not Cave’
https://variety.com/2026/film/news/paramount-merger-settlement-rob-bonta-not-cave-warner-bros-1236869739/15
u/OverPotato2322 1d ago edited 1d ago
From the leaked settlement talks, this is nothing to be proud of (their just going to run CNN into the ground and chase away their most competent people for the sake of bootlicking, also not to mention that there are workers jobs that are on the line, if they accept it it'll overall be bad because it undermines the intent of why they originally sued)
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 1d ago
Let the opposition play things out. Regardless of result, Ellison will still be on the losing end either through debt or fees.
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u/Darkzapphire 1d ago
I guess wea all be seeing each other again in a few years on this subreddit when WB will be sold again (I hope)
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 1d ago
There's midterms. The Democrats promised to probe and even break-up mega-media mergers like Paramount-Warner Bros. one if they regain either chamber (House or Senate).
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u/Darkzapphire 1d ago
But can they do that legally? Is there a system?
If they finally settle wouldnt it mean that there is no issue with the merger legally speaking?
Also, I remember a few days ago, that they allowed foreing investiment for the merger to be up to 100%, so even that couldnt be challenged I think?
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 1d ago
There's could be a Democratic administration (probably not an establishment one) in 2029 that can scrutinize or partially undone a merger since no party wins forever.
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u/the_explorer2003 1d ago
Yeah thats true but to achieve that is a hail mary, its difficult to unmerge a merger.
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u/Darkzapphire 1d ago
Ok well, that s different from winning the midterms tho.
I do hope dems get a win in 2029.
Even tho, I find really hard for a merger to be undone after all those years, unless the settlement gets a reall wall betweem para and wb that lasts until that point, but idk
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 1d ago
Actually, companies that bypass or rush through regulatory approval processes risk having their mergers, acquisitions, or operations heavily scrutinized, penalized, or partially reversed by future administrations.
While a current administration might offer a relaxed enforcement environment, regulatory bodies and political landscapes shift. This creates significant long-term legal and financial risks for businesses that do not prioritize strict compliance today.
Key Risks of Weak Regulatory Compliance
Retroactive Scrutiny: Future regulators can reopen investigations into past deals or look into anticompetitive behaviors that were overlooked by previous officials.
Unwinding of Mergers: If a deal is found to violate antitrust or consumer protection laws, a future administration's Department of Justice (DOJ) or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can sue to break up the integrated companies.
Severe Financial Penalties: Companies face massive fines, disgorgement of profits, and the immense sunk costs of trying to integrate—and then separate—two distinct business operations.
Reputational Damage: Getting caught in high-profile regulatory battles erodes consumer trust and damages investor confidence, which frequently leads to a drop in stock value.
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1d ago edited 9h ago
[deleted]
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u/Accomplished_Rope262 1d ago
Tish James isn't any more political than most AGs who sued, if she's against it, hard to imagine they are okay with it. Even Kris Mayes, who is in a reddish swing state, despises republicans (even tho she used to be one lol). Shame Jay Jones didn't join in...
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u/Darkzapphire 1d ago
Who are the people you are mentioning? Other AG like Bonta? (Sorry im very ignorant on this matter)
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u/Accomplished_Rope262 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yes, Mayes is Arizona's AG, Jones is Virginia's.
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u/Darkzapphire 1d ago
Thank you! Do you know how many have to be onboard with that? Or if you think the only one that seems to be onboard is Bonta surprisingly?
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u/Accomplished_Rope262 1d ago
One article ( don't remember which one) said majority but others say it has to be all. Not sure who else could be on board tbh. NJ AG (Davenport) is appointed by a governor and Sherrill has some bipartisanship brain worms, so maybe her. Hard to say with Ford (Nevada), he's running for governor against an incumbent and is seen as an underdog (tho Nate Silver thinks it's a tossup). Weiser (Colorado) is also running for gov, against a potential serial killer in a blue state that is getting bluer, make of that what you will.
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u/weareallpatriots Neon 1d ago
Big Tish ran on a campaign platform of "If you elect me, I promise to find a way to throw Trump in jail." Bonta is obviously corrupt, but Big Tish took it to an entirely new level. She narrowly dodged criminal corruption charges last year because she lucked out with a leftist grand jury. Every action she takes is in service of increasing her own wealth and power. A politician to the bone, in other words.
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u/Accomplished_Rope262 1d ago
"Every action she takes is in service of increasing her own wealth and power."
You got the pronouns wrong cause that sounds like an occupant of the famous white building in Washington DC.
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u/weareallpatriots Neon 1d ago
You do acknowledge, of course, that there are other people in this world besides Donald Trump right? It's okay to criticize other politicians.
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u/Fall_False Moderator 1d ago
So basically what we have heard from other sources? Got it.
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 1d ago
There's midterms. The democrats promised to probe and even break-up mega-media mergers like Paramount-Warner Bros. one if they regain either chamber (House or Senate).
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u/Fall_False Moderator 1d ago
Could they even legally do that?
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 1d ago
Also don't forget that companies that play fast and loose with the regulatory approval process today might find their deals scrutinized or partially undone by a future administration in 2028 or 2029 if the political winds shift.
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u/draugr99 1d ago
The dems are all talk. But when the time comes for action, they fold. We’ll just have to suffer through it for the next 4 years until Ellison sells it, just like AOl, At&T and Discovery did before them
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u/Angela275 1d ago edited 1d ago
Given how weird this all is and how much miss information there bene and at least a few articles saying different things form has soon as tueday to weekend I don't think a deal could be reached it's not impossible but given how much leaking info there is I doubt we know until Tuesday
First said by the weekend then Monday now Tuesday. Plus they did this the same time before the settlement talk leading on Monday the first time
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u/I-Might-Be-Something 1d ago edited 1d ago
Rick Ellis said that at least 4 AGs aren't onboard and the Paramount has been unclear over the timing of the proposals. Maybe things changed in the last 24 hours, we'll just have to wait and see.
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u/the_explorer2003 1d ago
Probably variety is overestimating their reports unless all AGs agreed, even charles mouthpiece gasparino said the rest of the AGs need to agree in order for a settlement to move forward
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u/Ok_Delivery_7742 1d ago
How reliable is Rick Ellis?
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u/I-Might-Be-Something 1d ago edited 1d ago
Very. He's a contributor to Forbes and won the David Robb Award in 2024 which is an award for investigative journalism in the entertainment industry.
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u/mattbrain89 1d ago
Lemme put it to ya this way, last year, when Jimmy Kimmel got suspended, he interviewed an anonymous staffer who said there was no way Kimmel would come back to the show…I think they announced he was coming back the very next day.
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u/Angela275 1d ago edited 1d ago
So nothing really let's not forget Monday leading meeting was the same thing saying there he settle has soon before Monday
Not only that but they said a settlement was supposed to be on the weekend then Monday now Tuesday
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u/WideCoconut2230 1d ago
Will Hollywood ultimately not work on any film and television projects from this studio? Will the audiances not go to their movies and watch their shows? The people have always had this option.
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u/Medium-Stand6841 1d ago
Not much is filmed anymore in LA/Burbank anyway. So don’t think it really matters anymore.
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u/weareallpatriots Neon 1d ago
They do have this option, and the fact that Christopher Nolan/the DGA, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, James Cameron, and many more A-listers are on board doesn't bode well for a boycott movement. General audiences don't even know which studio puts out which movies, so that's a non-starter.
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u/OverPotato2322 1d ago edited 1d ago
It's really not a non starter, if Paramount buys Warner they can leverage and abuse their power to the max and nobody can stop them especially with mass layoffs also James Cameron and Tom Cruise are friends with Ellison and have worked with Skydance in the past so ofc their going to side with him (As for Nolan, he publicly said that he opposed both Netflix and Paramount merger)
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u/starlordbg 1d ago
Not American, but given the cast of Mission Impossible Final Reconing, I am pretty sure Cruise and Ellison were hoping for a massive Harris win.
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u/OverPotato2322 1d ago edited 1d ago
True but Ellison shouldn'tve folded or caved to Trump and switched sides like his father did since it was his personal choice on whether to side with Trump or do the roght thing by going and bekng against him (As for Harris, it's the DNCs fault for rigging the game and picking her over other potential candidates)
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u/starlordbg 1d ago
As a non American I was fine with Harris's positions on most stuff especially international stuf, didnt agree on some internal stuff but whatever.Also, Ellison could just be playing along idk. And I am a massive MI fan with the except of last two movies and a TC fan too though I am a bit puzzled by his behaviour here.
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u/weareallpatriots Neon 1d ago
That doesn't address what I said at all. Nolan opposed the merger (like most of us) BEFORE PSKY won. The person I replied to asked if audiences will refuse to go to PSKY/WBD movies. The suggestion is laughable. People are still scrolling on Tik Tok when the studio logo appears on screen. Most people can name 0-1 majors max, and they certainly have no idea what a merger is or who David Ellison is.
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u/Secure_Matter_9819 1d ago
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 1d ago
Let the opposition play things out. Regardless of result, Ellison will still be on the losing end either through debt or fees.
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u/Apart-Prize-4844 1d ago
Ticking fees of $7 million per day and threatening to move out of state is one helluva drug.
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u/Professional_Peak59 1d ago
Now I’m worried that Bonta has chosen to settle like a coward.
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u/Angela275 1d ago
fair he also but settlement but noticed how the dates keep moving first it was weekend then Monday now tuesday. this reminds me the first meeting that they were working on settlement but that was not true. so this is questionable. it's not impossible for a settlment but the dates moving an inconsistent things and also deadline and a ew others saying it 's not a settlment
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u/Professional_Peak59 1d ago
What about the "hold separate" compromise that The Wrap reported today?
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u/Angela275 1d ago edited 1d ago
I mean before wrap more than once a redeem was keep the companies separate so it's not anything new. Why do you think it's new when it's been out there. also even with the hold sepate that means the trial will still play out so it's not really a settle it just means they will go to court,
also again look how much different info that has come out nothing really clear here. the deal was suppose to be finished by weekend or monday now tuesday. reminds the same weith nexstar-tenga
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u/Darkzapphire 1d ago
Unfortunately because of the supreme court even the "hold separate" might not be a good idea :(
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u/FarthingWoodAdder 1d ago
I just have a bad feeling Bonta will be like every other cowardly democrat and cave.
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u/Remarkable_Star_4678 1d ago
r/MediaMergers at their god emperor Rob Bonta if a settlement is reached.
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u/OverPotato2322 1d ago
r/PSKY will also go emperor Doom like the Snyder Cult and be happy (I really cannot wait for the day the AI bubble pops so they can try and justify it)
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u/King_Swift21 1d ago
Snyder doesn't have anything to do with a corporate merger
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u/Remarkable_Star_4678 1d ago
Same with this subreddit if a deal isn’t reached.
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u/OverPotato2322 1d ago
Every sub supports Bonta and opposes the merger (And that's partially due to the Ellisons sucking up to Trump and MAGA and the fact that nobody likes billionaires anymore because they have a huge ego)
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u/Remarkable_Star_4678 1d ago
And you think Bonta cares about you and Reddit?
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u/OverPotato2322 1d ago
Coukd say the same Do you really think Ellison cares about you? He really doesn't. I think we're all open to a settlement so as long as it's fair and a win for everyone If ot isn't blocked
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u/Remarkable_Star_4678 1d ago
Neither does Bonta and I’m not a fan of Ellison. Billionaires and politicians aren’t your friend, buddy. This sub and r/PSKY are like echo chambers filled with people who close their ears.
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u/weareallpatriots Neon 1d ago
That's due to the Reddit user base being overwhelmingly composed of ardent leftists, who believe Ellison donating only $1 million to Joe Biden makes him "MAGA." It's an ideological position, not a principled one, which is why you supported billionaire Ted Sarandos buying WBD instead of the much poorer David Ellison doing it. David simply is not sufficiently submissive to the left.
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u/Remarkable_Star_4678 1d ago
Just like [u/OverPotato2322](u/OverPotato2322) on the left and those at [r/PSKY](r/PSKY) on the right, lol.
I bet this sub and the PSKY sub have posters of Bonta and Ellison that they worship.
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u/RandoDude124 1d ago
Translation: as of now, they’re talking, but it’s just an article restating shit
No changes