Paramount Warner Bros. Merger Stopped By Judge

Published Jul 20, 2026, 1:06 PM EDT Rianna is the Movie News Editor for ScreenRant. After earning her BA in Film Studies, she began her career as an entertainment writer, contributing to several publications before joining ScreenRant. Her dissertation on the impact of streaming on traditional cinema sharpened her focus on the ever-evolving world of film and media. With 6 years in the industry, Rianna continues to cover the stories she loves while also advocating for awareness and representation of rare disabilities, such as Moebius Syndrome, which she lives with. Paramount is facing some tough decisions. Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin has temporarily stopped the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. A state coalition argues it violates federal antitrust law, which would lead to higher prices and fewer movies and TV shows produced. This comes after Paramount had agreed not to close the transaction before July 22, and closing arguments were heard by a 12-state coalition led by California, which had brought a motion for a temporary restraining order to block the deal from closing for 28 days. The states are also asking for a preliminary injunction, so the judge can rule on the merits of the states' lawsuit. At the hearing, Variety reported that Martinez-Olguin "suggested that Paramount had conceded it would not be harmed by a temporary pause." However, Jeffrey Kessler, who is arguing on Paramount's behalf, offered to not close the transaction for up to 30 days pending a hearing. More to come...