United States of America

Judge Extends Paramount-WB Deal Pause Until Aug. 17

Is this a win for consumers or a politically motivated blow to Hollywood?

Published 2 days ago

Judge Extends Paramount-WB Deal Pause Until Aug. 17

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Above: A car drives by the main gate at the Paramount Studios lot on July 13. Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Spin

Democratic narrative

This is a major win for working families. The merger will hike costs and gut options for everyday consumers while squeezing out small businesses in film and TV. The Ellisons tried to rush this through before courts could weigh the evidence, and now it gets decided on the merits. There's a long way to go, but the attorneys general seem determined to see this case through.

Elizabeth Warren on X

Dan Rayfield on X

Norm Eisen on X

Republican narrative

Of course, a Biden-appointed judge paused this merger at the behest of blue-state attorneys general in a politically motivated move that will devastate Hollywood, all because they don't want to lose CNN as a left-wing mouthpiece. Without this deal, Paramount and Warner Bros. will slash cable channels, killing jobs across Los Angeles and New York. The whole industry will suffer.

Chris Withans on X

Clay Travis on X

Spencer Pratt on X