Trending Now - WBD Shareholders Reject Major Merger With Paramount Skydance
WHO:
The Guardian - Shareholders of Warner Bros Discovery (WBD)
The Guardian - David Zaslav, outgoing chief executive of WBD
The Guardian - Craig Aaron, co-chief executive of Free Press
The Guardian - Alvaro Bedoya, former Federal Trade Commission member
The Guardian - Jim Acosta, former CNN anchor
The Guardian - Cory Booker, US senator
Deadline - 82% of WBD shareholders
WHAT:
The Guardian - David Zaslav stated, “We will continue to work with Paramount to complete the remaining steps in this process that will create a leading, next-generation media and entertainment company.”
The Guardian - A spokesperson for Paramount Skydance said, “We look forward to closing the transaction in the coming months and realizing the creation of a next-generation media and entertainment company that better serves both the creative community and consumers.”
The Guardian - Craig Aaron stated, “Today, Warner Bros Discovery shareholders voted for their short-term financial gains, not for the public good.”
The Guardian - Alvaro Bedoya mentioned that the merger could be undone by legislation, stating, “This is not a done deal. This deal can get blocked. I personally think it will get blocked or undone.”
The Guardian - Jim Acosta expressed concern about the potential for a “propaganda network” emerging from the merger, questioning if it would be “good for America.”
The Guardian - David Zaslav stated, “Today’s stockholder approval is another key milestone toward completing this historic transaction that will deliver exceptional value to our stockholders.”
The Guardian - A spokesperson for Paramount Skydance said, “Shareholder approval marks another important milestone towards completing our acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, building on our successful equity and debt syndications and progress across regulatory approvals.”
The Guardian - Craig Aaron expressed concerns that the merger could lead to “wholesale layoffs across the news and entertainment industry, more propaganda in news coverage, higher prices for consumers and fewer choices for audiences across the United States and around the world.”
The Guardian - Alvaro Bedoya mentioned that the California attorney general, Rob Bonta, is likely to lead a lawsuit to block the merger, stating, “I think the question is not just whether he’ll intervene, but how many of his fellow state attorneys general will join him.”
The Guardian - Jim Acosta expressed concern about the potential for a “propaganda network” emerging from the merger, questioning if it would be “good for America.”
The Guardian - WBD shareholders voted “overwhelmingly” to approve the company’s $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance on April 21st, 2026.
Deadline - David Zaslav's compensation tied to the merger was rejected by 82% of shareholders, with only 17% approving it.
Boston.com - WBD shareholders approved selling Paramount for $31 per share.
The Guardian - WBD shareholders voted to approve a $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance.
The Guardian - Shareholders rejected proposed compensation packages for WBD executives, including a $550 million payout to David Zaslav.
Deadline - Only 17% of WBD shareholders approved Zaslav's compensation tied to the merger.
The Guardian - WBD shareholders will receive $31 per share if the merger is approved.
The Guardian - The merger requires regulatory approval from the Department of Justice and European regulatory agencies.
WHERE:
The Guardian - The merger involves Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Skydance, which is the parent company of CBS News.
WHEN:
The Guardian - A hearing featuring Mark Ruffalo, held by Cory Booker, took place on April 17th, 2026, prior to the shareholder vote on April 21st, 2026.
The Guardian - A hearing featuring Mark Ruffalo, held by Cory Booker, took place last week prior to the shareholder vote on April 21st, 2026.
The Guardian - The shareholder vote took place on Thursday, April 21st, 2026.
The Guardian - The companies expect the deal to close between July and September 2026.
WHY:
The Guardian - Craig Aaron stated that shareholders voted for short-term financial gains, which could lead to layoffs and higher prices for consumers.
The Guardian - Zaslav stated that the merger will deliver exceptional value to stockholders.
The Guardian - Craig Aaron expressed concerns that the merger could lead to layoffs and higher prices for consumers.
HOW:
The Guardian - David Ellison, the chief executive of Paramount Skydance, declined to attend the hearing held by Cory Booker.
The Guardian - A coalition of state attorneys general may file a lawsuit to block the merger, as indicated by Alvaro Bedoya, who mentioned California attorney general Rob Bonta is likely to lead the lawsuit.
The Guardian - The boards of both WBD and Paramount approved the merger before the shareholder vote.
The Guardian - A coalition of state attorneys general may file a lawsuit to block the merger, as indicated by Alvaro Bedoya.
(UPDATED April 24, 2026 19:18 UTC)
David Zaslav announced that Warner Bros Discovery will continue collaborating with Paramount to finalize steps toward creating a leading next-generation media and entertainment company. A spokesperson for Paramount Skydance expressed optimism about closing the transaction in the coming months, while Craig Aaron criticized shareholders for prioritizing short-term financial gains over the public good. Concerns were raised by Alvaro Bedoya regarding the potential for legislation to block the merger, and Jim Acosta questioned whether it could lead to the emergence of a "propaganda network."
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(UPDATED April 24, 2026 15:20 UTC)
David Zaslav announced that shareholder approval marks a significant milestone in the acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, which he believes will provide exceptional value to stockholders. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by Craig Aaron about potential layoffs and the risk of a "propaganda network" emerging from the merger, with Jim Acosta questioning its implications for America. Additionally, California attorney general Rob Bonta is expected to lead a lawsuit to block the merger, as discussed during a hearing featuring Mark Ruffalo held last week before the shareholder vote on Tuesday.
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(UPDATED April 24, 2026 07:31 UTC)
WBD shareholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the company’s $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance on Tuesday, while also approving the sale of Paramount for $31 per share. However, a significant 82% of shareholders rejected David Zaslav's compensation tied to the merger, with only 17% in favor. Meanwhile, a coalition of state attorneys general, led by California attorney general Rob Bonta, may file a lawsuit to block the merger, raising concerns about potential layoffs and higher prices for consumers.
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(UPDATED April 24, 2026 05:52 UTC)
Warner Bros Discovery shareholders voted on Thursday to approve a $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, but they rejected proposed compensation packages for executives, including a $550 million payout to outgoing CEO David Zaslav. Only 17% of shareholders supported Zaslav's compensation tied to the merger, which will see shareholders receiving $31 per share if the deal is finalized, pending regulatory approval from the Department of Justice and European agencies. Concerns have been raised by Craig Aaron about potential layoffs and higher prices for consumers, while a coalition of state attorneys general may file a lawsuit to block the merger, as indicated by former Federal Trade Commission member Alvaro Bedoya.