UK Grants Clearance for Paramount-Skydance Purchase of Warner Bros.

The UK government has cleared the $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. by Paramount Skydance, concluding that the merger does not raise competition problems that would merit regulator involvement. In a statement, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the Competition and Markets Authority found no competitive aspects requiring further scrutiny. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy chose not to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice, citing legally binding promises from Paramount that safeguard diverse broadcasting, on-demand services and the distinct editorial identities of major UK news programmes.

The decision reflects assurances that the merger will not diminish media plurality. Paramount’s spokesperson dismissed the U.S. state attorneys’ antitrust lawsuit as relying on misguided market definitions. The approval paves the way for the consolidation to proceed under the conditions set by the UK authorities.