States make last-ditch effort to stop the Paramount ‘media behemoth’

AI Summary

Twelve state attorneys general in the U.S. have filed a lawsuit to block the $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery, citing concerns over reduced competition and higher movie prices. The Justice Department's decision not to block the merger surprised some career staff and triggered state-level legal action.

A dozen state attorneys general are trying to block the $110 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery they warn would raise movie prices and crush cable TV distributors. The states - California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington - filed suit on Monday, arguing the combination would illegally harm competition and create a "media behemoth." Last month, the Justice Department declined to block the merger in a decision that The Wall Street Journal reported surprised career staff who were leaning toward recommending a lawsuit. In an exit intervi … Read the full story at The Verge.