California, 11 states suing to block Paramount’s $110 billion Warner Bros deal

California and 11 states are suing to block Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, alleging the deal would lessen competition in film distribution and cable television, harming theaters and pay TV distributors.

The lawsuit is a serious threat to Paramount CEO David Ellison’s bid to transform his company into a major competitor to Netflix and Disney.

“With this ‌lawsuit, California ⁠and ⁠our sister states are fighting for free and fair markets, not rigged markets. America has no kings in government or our economy,” Bonta said in a statement.