Judge Martinez‑Olguin sparks Zoom showdown on Paramount‑WBD merger

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez‑Olguin has scheduled a Zoom hearing for Thursday at 11 a.m.

PT to review the proposed settlement between state attorneys general and Paramount‑Warner Bros Discovery. The court will address outstanding questions about the factual and legal foundations of the consent decree, as well as its implementation.

The hearing follows the parties’ motion to approve the decree, which aims to resolve a lawsuit filed by state AGs in July.

The consent decree requires Paramount to release at least 30 movies , .

Judge Martinez‑Olguin also canceled a previously scheduled hearing that would have addressed whether state attorneys general should post a bond as the litigation progressed.

In a separate order, the judge said she would decide in due course on whether to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Writers Guild of America seeking to block the merger. The guild announced it has reached a settlement with Paramount that would end its litigation.

## Background & Context

The lawsuit was filed by state attorneys general in July, accusing Paramount‑Warner Bros Discovery of antitrust violations related to its merger. In response, the company and the AGs negotiated a consent decree that would settle the claims without a prolonged trial.

The parties have now moved to court to approve the decree, marking a significant step toward concluding the litigation.

Under the decree, Paramount has pledged to release at least 30 films each year for the next decade, a move aimed at increasing competition in the entertainment market.

Additionally, an independent board will be formed to monitor CNN and CBS News' compliance with journalistic standards, ensuring that the merged entity adheres to established editorial guidelines.

Judge Martinez‑Olguin also withdrew a scheduled hearing that would have addressed whether the AGs need to post a bond during the course of the lawsuit, simplifying the current proceedings.

## Next Steps and Pending Decisions

The court will conduct the Thursday hearing .m. PT, where attorneys for both sides will present arguments concerning the decree’s legal soundness and enforceability.

Judge Martinez‑Olguin has indicated that she will consider dismissing the Writers Guild of America's lawsuit aimed at blocking the merger in due course. The guild has already announced a settlement with Paramount, which would terminate its litigation, potentially clearing a key obstacle to the deal.

If the decree is approved, Paramount will be bound by its commitments to film output and news oversight, while the court will monitor compliance. A successful settlement would conclude a multi‑year dispute that began with antitrust allegations following the company’s merger.