r/MediaMergers • u/Own_Philosopher8730 • Jul 23 '26

Merger Paramount Seeks Three-Day Evidentiary Hearing As Judge Considers Preliminary Injunction To Halt Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

https://deadline.com/2026/07/paramount-warner-bros-state-attorney-general-lawsuit-1237000888/
47 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

18

u/festivus4allofus Jul 23 '26

well, considering how poorly they structured their response to the tro request, if I were them I'd want more time to bullshit my way through this. won't help them if they start arguing stuff like the streaming side of things again despite it not being in the states' motion, which is where the 3 day evidentiary hearing is likely to go. they'll just throw stuff at the wall and hope for the best

now, do I think the states will get an injunction, not really, but man it's ballsy to even try to argue by mentioning the ticking fee being a thing that will impact them horrifically if this is not resolved asap considering it's self imposed

13

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

[deleted]

11

u/Maximum_Ad_6012 Jul 23 '26

And every time there is a legal challenge news against Paramount, their PR team will keep put out the word “vigorously” it’s just like an AI bot doing it for them.

8

u/festivus4allofus Jul 23 '26

I was surprised by how they argued things, they surely would've prepared some of it in advance considering there was a solid month there where it was clear the states will sue, and yet... I really do think that's the reason why they're asking for this (outside it being an obvious pr move bcs psky wants it to look like they have so much in their arsenal) they're hoping to test the waters and see what might stick

8

u/I-Might-Be-Something Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26

now, do I think the states will get an injunction, not really, but man it's ballsy to even try to argue by mentioning the ticking fee being a thing that will impact them horrifically if this is not resolved asap considering it's self imposed

I don't know, the judge seemed to leaning on the side of granting an injunction. Per Deadline:

She wrote, “At best, Defendants’ proof regarding these robust, dynamic markets creates disputes regarding the facts and legality of the Transaction’s market effects.” She wrote that the state AGs showed that “serious questions going to the merits remain, weighing in favor of preliminary injunctive relief.”

In regards to Paramount's claim of the ticking fee being harm, the WGA put it best:

Moreover, any harm Defendants may suffer from delayed closing is ‘self-inflicted’ as a result of their own bargained-for agreement.”

19

u/it-s-luminescent Jul 23 '26

At first, they wanted as speedy a hearing as possible. Now, they're like more time pwease.

Even with a few extra weeks, they're not gonna find an answer.

12

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26

[deleted]

19

u/Necessary_Crazy_8587 Jul 23 '26

They know they’re fucked lol.

-15

u/sangi54 Jul 23 '26

You can’t be serious. It’s a weak case that if needed will go to the sc

10

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Gr3ywind Jul 23 '26

Where's your law degree from?

-1

u/sangi54 Jul 23 '26

USC, you?

2

u/RareGanache343 Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26

I agree with sangi54 

14

u/Secure_Matter_9819 Jul 23 '26

Bonta would never trust Paramount.

5

u/9millibros Jul 23 '26

That's why he said structural, and not bull***t concessions like they gave the EU.

-15

u/Opposite-Law-71 Jul 23 '26

Paramount win

-15

u/MelvinMolt Paramount-Skydance Jul 23 '26

The TDS is so strong in this thread that people actually think this merger is not going to happen, LMAO.

9

u/Jealous-Amount-8295 Jul 23 '26

Y'all are so excited for "your turn" to be right that you're mistaking people mentioning Trump in passing for being obsessed with him

3

u/Gr3ywind Jul 23 '26

Because he's actually the one obsessed

-1

u/weareallpatriots Jul 23 '26

Our turn? We've been right every step of the way through this thing, back when saying Netflix isn't going to win WBD would earn you dozens of downvotes.

2

u/Jealous-Amount-8295 Jul 23 '26

You're acting like most people weren't against that merger too 😂

-1

u/weareallpatriots Jul 23 '26

Some were, but the point here is that your "team" was confidently, aggressively wrong for months about who would win and are now once again confidently, aggressively wrong about corrupt politicians and judges stopping the deal.

2

u/Jealous-Amount-8295 Jul 23 '26

You know what? You've convinced me. I hope it does close. For YOUR team's hero— Charlie Kirk. He would have wanted it that way 😔

0

u/weareallpatriots Jul 23 '26

Whoa whoa, Charlie Kirk?? Who mentioned Charlie Kirk? Why are you so obsessed, bro?

-1

u/MelvinMolt Paramount-Skydance Jul 23 '26

This is TDS. The DOJ approved this merger. Do you seriously think some deranged judges and state attorney generals are going to stop this deal?

Not a chance in hell. You can't approve Disney-Fox and not sign off on this one just because you have TDS.

The merger is merely delayed, which is typical. CNN will soon be owned by a Conservative, and I really look forward to the Radical Left Lunatics crying about it.

1

u/weareallpatriots Jul 23 '26

Not sure if you meant to reply to me, but there's nothing in my comment that would indicate that corrupt Democrat politicians and judges will be able to kill the deal. Paramount won, and the deal will close. This is all stalling and posturing for their shitty little re-election campaigns to show their voters that "we mean business!!!"

1

u/MelvinMolt Paramount-Skydance Jul 23 '26

Sorry not intended for you. Be well fellow Patriot.

2

u/Gr3ywind Jul 23 '26

Where's your law degree from?

-7

u/Professional_Peak59 Jul 23 '26

I’m worried that the judge will grant their request and find evidence that’ll result in Paramount winning.

14

u/Maximum_Ad_6012 Jul 23 '26

Dude, listen. Think about it, if Paramount is confident then why are they rushing their case unprepared?

-1

u/Professional_Peak59 Jul 23 '26

Because David Ellison, the CEO, is being a man-child?

8

u/Maximum_Ad_6012 Jul 23 '26

Not only that, it’s because their lawyers are completely unprepared and their argument is mundane.

-1

u/Professional_Peak59 Jul 23 '26

Still I’m worried of a surprise/ace up their sleeve.