Not a Done Deal: How and Why 12 Blue States are Fighting the Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

By Gene Maddaus

Gene Maddaus

Senior Media Writer

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• Not a Done Deal: How and Why 12 Blue States are Fighting the Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger 50 minutes ago
• States Seek Injunction to Prevent Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal From Closing 17 hours ago
• States Sue to Block Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger, Defying DOJ 1 day ago

Are blockbuster films a separate market? Or are they interchangeable with other forms of entertainment?

The $111 billion Paramount–Warner Bros. merger may hang on that question. On July 13, a coalition of 12 states sued to block the deal, arguing that it will lead to excessive concentration in the theatrical and basic cable markets. The strongest claim may be that the combined entity will control 30% of the market for “anticipated top-grossing films.”

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