Consumers sue to block Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger

Five consumers filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in San Jose, California, to block the reported $110 billion combination of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. The plaintiffs include three current Paramount+ subscribers and two prospective subscribers. The lawsuit seeks to block the merger, require Skydance to divest Paramount, and award triple damages under the Clayton Act. The plaintiffs allege the consolidation could lead to higher subscription prices, fewer viewing choices, and fewer theatrical releases. Paramount called the lawsuit without merit and stated the combination would create a stronger competitor. CEO David Ellison pledged at least 30 theatrical releases annually after the combination. The lawsuit was first reported by SNIPdaily.

The lawsuit challenges the future pricing and content availability of Paramount+ and HBO Max for streaming subscribers and moviegoers in the U.S.