11h ago
Paramount offers concessions to win EU approval for $111B Warner Bros Discovery deal
Paramount has submitted concessions to the European Commission as it seeks clearance for its $111B acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, aimed at easing antitrust concerns. The Commission confirmed the filing and set a new provisional decision deadline of July 22, extended from July 7. In the UK, Culture Minister Louise Nandy said she was minded to intervene and is assessing the deal on media plurality grounds, while the Competition and Markets Authority continues a separate investigation.
11h ago
6-25
EU antitrust regulator expected to approve Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery $110B merger by July 7
The European Commission is expected to approve Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery’s $110B merger by July 7 without opening an in-depth investigation, the Financial Times reported. The companies have met with Commission officials and are expected to offer limited remedies, which could include ending Paramount’s international distribution deal with Universal Pictures or divesting children’s TV assets. The development reduces the transaction’s perceived regulatory risk, while the UK continues a separate review.
6-25
6-19
Democratic senators urge FCC to block Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery deal until 120-day foreign-ownership review ends
Three Democratic U.S. senators urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to prevent the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger from closing until a national security review of the combined company’s 49.5% foreign ownership is completed. Paramount has said 38.5% would come from investment funds tied to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and the review has begun a 120-day clock that could end earlier. The companies have pledged to close by September 30 or pay shareholders a “ticking fee” of several million dollars per day, after the Justice Department ended its antitrust review without a challenge. The deal still needs FCC approval as well as review by UK and European Union regulators and a group of state attorneys general.
6-19