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July 20, 2026
Judge Blocks Paramount-Warner Bros Merger Amid Antitrust Concerns as EU Approves
- U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín issued a temporary restraining order against the merger, allowing time to consider legal claims from 12 states.
- The European Commission approved the merger, contingent on Paramount ending a distribution partnership with Universal Pictures within 13 months.
- If the merger isn't completed by September 30, Paramount faces a daily 'ticking fee' of $7 million until the deal closes.
4 Sources
- Judge hits brakes on Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery mergerJul 20, 2026 at 5:56 PM · The Hill
- Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger paused by federal judgeJul 20, 2026 at 6:39 PM · Axios
- Merger deal between Paramount and Warner Bros paused by judgeJul 20, 2026 at 7:48 PM · BBC
- EU clears $110bn Paramount and Warner Bros merger, but it remains on hold in USJul 22, 2026 at 9:33 PM · BBC