The Paramount-Warner Merger Could Save Hollywood

Larry Ellison backed the deal that let his son David buy Paramount this year. They were set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in the coming weeks — but a court challenge from the state of California means all bets are off. Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter Larry and David Ellison bought Paramoun

I. When I was a Federal Trade Commissioner, I learned that, as exciting as I thought my job was, most people don’t think about corporate consolidation. The word “merger” does not get the heart thumping. “Media merger” sounds like you’re stapling a document.  So let me try something different: If you watch CNN, if you w

Hollywood powerbroker Ari Emanuel rallied to the defense of his friend and business associate David Ellison, claiming that the state attorneys general trying to block Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery deal are threatening to “destroy” competition in the entertainment industry. Emanuel, who is CEO of TKO Group and form

The WME executive chairman and CEO of TKO writes in an op-ed that the state AGs are misguided in their case against the mega deal.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong wrote an op-ed Monday citing the dangers to industry competition, jobs and a concentration of power if Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merge. “We have watched, with growing alarm, what consolidation does to the breadth and depth of the work we produce:

An op-ed in the Guardian by actors Alan Cumming, Benedict Cumberbatch and Benedict Wong opposes the takeover of Warner Bros by Paramount.

"Let me be clear: we remain highly confident that this transaction does not pose any legal issues, and we will complete it and bring these two companies together," Ellison said.

In a "Guardian" op-ed, actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming, and Benedict Wong lay out the dangers of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.

A flurry of negotiations last week cleared the way for an antitrust court battle with states that could determine the fate of the two iconic media giants.

Paramount has agreed to pause its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery until several big lawsuits come to a resolution, a report says.