Judge halts Paramount and Warner merger for at least two weeks per states’ request

A federal judge has temporarily halted the proposed $81 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to give states more time to argue against the deal in court. The 12 states, including California, claim that the merger would stifle competition in Hollywood and reduce consumer choices, especially for movie and cable services. This move is crucial as it could set a precedent for how big media mergers are regulated in the future, potentially impacting the entertainment industry's landscape.