Analysis:US state officials fear Paramount-Warner deal will squeeze local movie theaters

July 14 - U.S. states suing to block Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros Discovery argue that the deal could squeeze local movie theaters, which are still struggling to sell as many tickets as they did before the pandemic. “While ticket prices will most likely go up, theaters will be forced to cut back on investments that make the experience better for audiences: comfier seats, expanded concessions, and premium screens,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a news conference Monday, standing in front of the Hollywood sign.If completed, the merger would combine two of the nation’s five major film distributors, and further concentrate ownership of cable television networks. The new entity would have unfair bargaining leverage over theater-owners and pay-TV operators, according to th