States settle lawsuit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal

CHICAGO (AP) — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Paramount in a lawsuit his state led challenging the company’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on Monday, effectively paving the way for the mega merger to move forward, with some new commitments.

The $81 billion blockbuster deal will bring together two of Hollywood’s oldest studios, key TV networks like CBS and CNN and streaming platforms HBO Max and Paramount+, as well as decades of libraries with titles ranging from “Harry Potter” to “Top Gun.”

But terms of Monday’s agreement include what Bonta called “court enforceable” requirements for Sky...