California Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled negotiations after accusing Paramount of misrepresenting settlement discussions in media reports.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled a scheduled settlement meeting with Paramount on March 2, 2027, citing leaks and misrepresentations of prior negotiations. The move derails early talks aimed at resolving a lawsuit filed by 12 states to block the Paramount-WBD merger over antitrust concerns.
The coalition, led by Bonta, argues the combined entity would control roughly a third of wide-release film distribution and basic cable TV programming, creating illegal market concentration. Bonta previously indicated any resolution would require structural remedies, such as divestitures, but accused Paramount of shifting discussions away from the core complaint.
Paramount has not responded to the allegations, and no immediate market reaction was reported. The cancellation signals heightened tensions in the legal battle over the $7 million deal.