# Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Opponents React

> 12 states settle with David Ellison over Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
- Title: Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Opponents React | Shortify
- Summary: 12 states settle with David Ellison over Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. 12 states settled with David Ellison to block Paramount-Warner Bros. merger after…
- Keywords: paramount, warner bros, merger, settlement, david ellison, l.a. county, iats, dga, gavin newsom, california, Paramount-Warner, Bros
- Source: The Hollywood Reporter — https://hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-wbd-merger-opponents-react-settlement-1236706944
- Author: Katie Kilkenny
- Published: 2026-09-21T17:57:34+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paramount, warner bros, merger, settlement, david ellison, l.a. county, iats, dga, gavin newsom, california
## Opponents react to merger settlement
Opponents to the Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount megamerger reacted with alarm and dismay as 12 states settled with David Ellison's company.
## Settlement terms include job protections
The deal includes spending more on U.S. film production, limiting movie theater price increases, workforce training, and keeping both production lots open.
## American Economic Liberties Project statement
The American Economic Liberties Project's senior advisor Alvaro Bedoya said billionaires bribed, censored, and bullied their way to the top, creating a media conglomerate allied with the president.
## Job impact of merger
A report found 4,500 job-years directly at risk and 2,661 job-years indirectly at risk from the merger, plus 3,204 jobs from unrelated businesses.
## Block the Merger coalition response
The Block the Merger coalition called the settlement a bad deal for film, entertainment, independent journalism, and democracy, vowing to continue efforts to stop media consolidation.
## Mark Ruffalo's criticism
Actor Mark Ruffalo posted on X that Gavin Newsom handed a huge win to Trump and his billionaire cronies through the merger.
## Key takeaway

12 states settled with David Ellison to block Paramount-Warner Bros. merger after opponents raised concerns about job losses and media consolidation.