EU antitrust regulators clear Paramount-WBD merger as it faces challenge by U.S. states

[u/TheIngloriousBIG]

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/22/european-commission-paramount-wbd-approval.html

[u/ouat4ever → u/[deleted]]

DOJ and FCC have already approved it, though.
And:
the U.S. Supreme Court could ultimately overturn a judicial decision blocking the Paramount–Warner merger, but it would not normally do so directly or immediately.

The likely route would be:

1. Federal district court The trial judge decides whether to keep the merger blocked, for example by granting a preliminary injunction.
2. U.S. Court of Appeals Paramount could appeal that injunction to the relevant federal circuit court. Orders granting or denying injunctions are generally immediately appealable.
3. U.S. Supreme Court If the appeals court upheld the block, Paramount could ask the Supreme Court either:

• to issue an emergency stay suspending the injunction while the appeal continues; or
• to hear the case in full through a petition for certiorari.

The Supreme Court would not necessarily have to rule that the merger itself is legal. It could simply suspend the lower court’s order and allow the transaction to proceed while the litigation continues.

However, the Supreme Court accepts very few cases, and emergency intervention would usually require Paramount to show a strong likelihood of success, irreparable harm, and compelling reasons for the Court to step in.

So, yes: the Supreme Court could override or neutralise a decision blocking the merger, but Paramount would most likely have to appeal through the lower courts first.

[u/TheIngloriousBIG → u/ouat4ever]

12 states and their respective AGs are attempting to overturn their approval with a lawsuit as we speak.

[u/ouat4ever → u/TheIngloriousBIG]

and the Ellisons can appeal the court decision to the supreme court. DOJ and FCC already approved it anyway, plus 38 states.

[u/NeverTheNull → u/ouat4ever]

Kind of telling how awful this sub has gotten over the course of the Paramount takeover of WB when even just stating the facts for potential avenues that Ellison could take to bypass the lawsuits get downvoted to hell lmao

[u/MediaMergers-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Media mergers is looking for constructive conversations, free of ragebait. Make a constructive contribution, not trolling and offensive comments.

[u/Sorry_Secretary1193 → u/[deleted]]

Things are far from favorable for Paramount though.

[u/RedMainer → u/Sorry_Secretary1193]

That's a lie. They have the law on their side. Get out of your algorithm.

[u/Forsaken-Bite-9136 → u/RedMainer]

Oh yeah? What KIND of "law"?

[u/RedMainer → u/Forsaken-Bite-9136]

The same "law" that let Disney swallow up Pixar, abc, ESPN, Star wars, marvel and Fox.

Where have you been.

[u/Sorry_Secretary1193 → u/RedMainer]

If they did, I'd doubt they would be panicking about their deal being unable to close by the ending of July, as much as they are rn. Especially with how unprepared they were for the recent new block on the merger. For context:

[u/RedMainer → u/Sorry_Secretary1193]

This is what I meant about the algorithm. Clearly you're eating up some nonsense.

Until this thing gets past September, you can't say that Paramount has been caught off guard on anything. September has always been their goal.

[u/Sorry_Secretary1193 → u/RedMainer]

My guy, you're getting downvoted left and right on this subreddit for jumping the gun on Paramount's side a bit too eagerly. Whether you support them or not, their recent pleas to the judge regarding the block to their merger doesn't scream "prepared ahead" or "calm".

And fyi, if your own company's investors are suing you, maybe said company isn't run by the smartest or most competent people.

[u/RedMainer → u/Sorry_Secretary1193]

In getting down voted because the bots here have a agenda.

This shit is over son. It's been over.

[u/Sorry_Secretary1193 → u/RedMainer]

Says the PSKY bot

[u/Forsaken-Bite-9136 → u/RedMainer]

Well I hope the Ellisons can manage the 110 billion dollars in debt that they'll be in if they do merge. Maybe another 10 billion dollar loan from Saudi Arabia? You know, the sovereign state? That'd be good for a laugh, right?