California AG blasts Paramount-WBD merger as ‘illegal,’ says threat to leave state is ‘blackmail’ effort

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has strongly criticized the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, labeling it as "illegal" and alleging that the companies' threats to leave the state are a "blackmail" effort. Bonta is spearheading a lawsuit by 12 attorneys general under the Clayton Act, arguing that the merger could harm competition and consumer interests. This move underscores a broader concern about monopolistic practices in the entertainment industry and highlights the legal and economic implications for media consumers nationwide.