PARAMOUNT CLEARS MERGER: $110B Warner Bros. Deal Advances After Antitrust Settlement...

Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery can now proceed with their $110 billion merger after settling a lawsuit brought by dozens of U.S. states led by California. The states had challenged the deal over competition concerns, but agreed to drop the case after Paramount committed to releasing at least 30 films annually and keeping a minimum 20% of production in the U.S. for two years, rising to 30% afterward. California's attorney general stressed the settlement wasn't an endorsement—he still opposes the merger—but said the production guarantees will inject hundreds of millions into the domestic film and television industry.