Judge Scrutinizes Paramount Settlement as Ruling Awaits

WHO:

Variety - U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín is overseeing the antitrust case.

Deadline - The merger involves Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.

WHAT:

Deadline - The proposed acquisition amount has been updated to $111 billion.

Deadline - The California Attorney General's office stated that the deal is “not the result of collusion.”

Variety - The antitrust case was filed by 12 state attorneys general seeking to block the merger.

Deadline - The proposed settlement involves a $110 billion deal between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Deadline - The deal is on track to close in the next two weeks after a settlement of two antitrust lawsuits.

WHERE:

Variety - The hearing is virtual, but the specific location is not mentioned.

WHEN:

Deadline - The deal is expected to close in the next two weeks.

Variety - The hearing took place on a Thursday.

WHY:

Variety - The judge questioned the parties about their settlement to address "outstanding questions."

HOW:

Variety - The judge has not yet ruled on whether to approve the proposed settlement.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 20:59 UTC)

The proposed acquisition amount has been updated to a staggering $111 billion, with a deadline set for 20:00 UTC. In related news, the California Attorney General's office has confirmed that the deal is “not the result of collusion.” This announcement comes as stakeholders closely monitor the developments surrounding the acquisition.

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(UPDATED September 24, 2026 20:01 UTC)

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín is currently overseeing an antitrust case involving a proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which has been challenged by twelve state attorneys general seeking to block the deal. The hearing, conducted virtually, allowed the judge to question the parties about their settlement to address outstanding questions, but she has not yet ruled on whether to approve it. The deal is on track to close in the next two weeks following a settlement of two antitrust lawsuits.