# Paramount clears final hurdle to buy Warner Bros. Discovery

> David Ellison's Paramount Skydance has settled antitrust lawsuits blocking its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery and plans to close in about two weeks.
- Title: Paramount clears final hurdle to buy Warner Bros. Discovery
- Summary: David Ellison's Paramount Skydance has settled antitrust lawsuits blocking its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery and plans to close in about…
- Keywords: paramount skydance, warner bros. discovery, david ellison, merger, antitrust, california attorney general rob bonta, writers guild of america, film production, streaming, business, technology, Paramount
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/paramount-skydance-lawsuit-settlement-warner-bros-discovery-deal-david-ellison-2026-9
- Author: James Faris
- Published: 2026-09-21T17:26:26.637+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paramount skydance, warner bros. discovery, david ellison, merger, antitrust, california attorney general rob bonta, writers guild of america, film production, streaming, business, technology
## Paramount wins antitrust clearance
David Ellison's Paramount Skydance has settled the antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 states and California's Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the settlement on Monday.
## Film release commitments required
Paramount agreed to release 30 movies in theaters each of the next two years, then 32 movies in each of the next three years, with at least 20 percent as tentpoles with budgets of at least 50 million dollars.
## Penalties and production spending
If Paramount misses annual film release targets, it pays 30 million dollars per movie and gets six months to catch up or must divest Miramax. It also agreed to increase US production spending by at least 300 million dollars yearly for five years.
## Editorial independence and rate negotiations
Paramount will establish a board to support CBS News and CNN's editorial independence and ensure objective, fact-based reporting. It will also negotiate cable TV network rates separately for five years.
## Deal expected to close in two weeks
Ellison said Paramount is tentatively planning to complete its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in approximately two weeks, creating a media giant controlling HBO, HBO Max, CNN, TBS, HGTV and major studios.

> We have complete clearance for this merger and can move toward closing.
## Consumer concerns about pricing remain
Mike Proulx at Forrester said regulators debated theatrical output and production commitments, but consumers are asking whether the merger will improve their entertainment experience without increasing their monthly bill.

> Will this merger improve my entertainment experience without increasing my monthly bill?
## Key takeaway

Paramount Skydance settled antitrust lawsuits from 12 states and the Writers Guild of America, clearing the way to close its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in approximately two weeks.