Judge Throws Out Consumer Antitrust Case Against Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by three current and two prospective Paramount+ subscribers seeking to block the $111 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros., ruling they lacked standing and had not provided evidence of actual economic harm. Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín criticized the complaint for relying on boilerplate assertions about lower quality, variety and reduced consumer choice without factual support.

She allowed the plaintiffs to amend and refile their case. Martínez-Olguín will also preside over antitrust actions brought by a coalition of twelve state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America, with trial scheduled for March 2 2027. In a recent op-ed, Paramount-Skydance chief David Ellison suggested the real issue is his possible control of one outlet, not industry consolidation, citing his ties to President Donald Trump and recent controversies at "60 Minutes."

Ellison affirmed his intention to keep one outlet independent and fact-based. The dismissal leaves the merger moving forward while larger legal challenges loom.