Map Shows States Suing to Stop Paramount Merger with Warner Bros.

Twelve states, led by California, filed a lawsuit on Monday to stop a massive merger between two huge entertainment companies — Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The states argue the $110 billion deal would give one company too much control over movies and TV. California Attorney General Rob Bonta led the group, saying the merger would hurt movie theaters, cable providers, and viewers across the country.

The deal between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery was agreed upon in February, after Paramount beat out the streaming giant Netflix in a fierce bidding competition. If it goes through, it would be the largest merger in Hollywood history. The combined company would have enormous power over what movies and TV shows get made and how much they cost.

Federal regulators at the Justice Department had already looked at the deal and decided it was unlikely to harm competition. But the twelve states disagree, saying there are still serious concerns about fairness. All twelve states have Democratic attorneys general, and they have asked a court to put the merger on hold while the lawsuit plays out.

The twelve states suing are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington. Their lawyers say the merger would create a 'media behemoth' — a giant company with far too much power. They predict it would permanently end competition between the two studios and lead to higher prices and less content for audiences.

Paramount responded strongly, calling the lawsuit a misrepresentation of how the entertainment industry really works today. The company said merging with Warner Bros. Discovery would actually help it compete against powerful streaming and tech giants. Paramount also warned that blocking or delaying the deal would cost entertainment workers their jobs at a time when many have already struggled.

Reports surfaced that people close to Paramount CEO David Ellison were urging him to consider moving the company's headquarters out of California if the state blocked the merger. Attorney General Bonta called this threat a 'last-ditch effort to try and blackmail' his office. He made clear the pressure would not stop him from pursuing the lawsuit.