{"id":2633794,"date":"2026-07-22T16:33:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T20:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/european-union-approves-81-billion-paramount-warner-bros-deal\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T16:36:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T20:36:25","slug":"european-union-approves-81-billion-paramount-warner-bros-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/european-union-approves-81-billion-paramount-warner-bros-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"European Union approves $81 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. deal"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Feuropean-union-approves-81-billion-paramount-warner-bros-deal%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2633794&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The European Commission approved the merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Finding, valued at $81 billion, after the company agreed to certain concessions to address competition concerns. This approval comes shortly after a US <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-options-on-title-42-limited-after-court-ruling\/\" title=\"Biden\u2019s Options on Title 42 Limited After Court Ruling\">federal judge temporarily halted<\/a> the merger amid legal challenges from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arizona-becomes-first-state-to-sue-biden-over-vaccine-mandates\/\" title=\"Arizona Becomes First State To Sue Biden Over Vaccine Mandates\">multiple state attorneys general<\/a>, led by California&#8217;s Attorney General. The EU&#8217;s decision follows the company&#8217;s commitments to restrict joint film distribution with Global and to divest its stake in UK-based United International Pictures. The approval increases the number of jurisdictions that have authorized or not challenged the deal to 65. Paramount&#8217;s legal team expressed confidence that the merger would enhance competition, while critics in the US argue it violates antitrust laws designed to prevent reduced competition or monopolies. The Justice Department had already granted approval during the previous administration.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Commission approved the merger of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/paramount\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"16440\">Paramount Skydance <\/a>and Warner Bros. Discovery on Wednesday, clearing the way for the acquisition in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/european-union\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1177\">European Union<\/a> just days after the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4655624\/judge-temporarily-halts-paramount-warner-bros-merger\/\">process stalled<\/a> in the United States because of pending <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4646111\/california-leads-multistate-antitrust-lawsuit-block-paramount-warner-bros-merger\/\">litigation<\/a> against the deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Commission announced its <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/antitrust\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1187\">antitrust<\/a> regulators gave the $81 billion deal the go-ahead on the condition that Paramount follow the concessions it agreed to.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4659345\/european-union-regulators-approve-paramount-warner-bros-deal-while-halted-in-us\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>European Union approves $81 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. deal<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4658943\/mamdani-appoint-ftc-chief-lina-khan\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mamdani appoints former FTC chief Lina Khan to manage city\u2019s business growth<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4655624\/judge-temporarily-halts-paramount-warner-bros-merger\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Federal judge temporarily halts Paramount-Warner Bros. merger<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Commission found that, at film production level, enough film studios remain as competitors in the EEA,\u201d the European Commission wrote in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/api\/files\/document\/print\/en\/ip_26_1663\/IP_26_1663_EN.pdf\">statement<\/a>. \u201cThese include other major US studios like Disney, NBC Universal (\u2018Universal\u2019) and Sony, along with smaller US studios such as Amazon MGM, A24 and Lionsgate, as well as European studios.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the commission, Paramount offered to concede its stake in the British United International Pictures in European Economic Area countries and offered not to enter into any agreements to jointly distribute films with Universal in EEA countries for 10 years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese commitments fully address the competition concerns identified by the Commission by ensuring that the films of the merged entity will not be distributed jointly with those of Universal or Disney,\u201d the European Commission wrote. \u201cFollowing the positive feedback received in the context of the market test, the Commission concluded that the transaction, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EU\u2019s stamp of approval comes just two days after a federal judge in the U.S. temporarily halted the merger for two weeks. The judge\u2019s temporary restraining order follows multiple state attorneys general, led by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California<\/a> Attorney General Rob Bonta, who brought a case seeking to stop the deal. The temporary pause will continue until the Aug. 3 hearing on the attorneys general\u2019s preliminary injunction motion, which would pause the merger for the duration of the lawsuit.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Commission\u2019s approval of the merger brings the number of jurisdictions that have approved the deal or not challenged it to 65, according to Paramount.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Makan Delrahim, Paramount\u2019s chief legal officer, celebrated the commission\u2019s decision in a statement, saying the company\u2019s leaders \u201cappreciate the Commission\u2019s constructive engagement and thorough analysis throughout its review.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNot only does this combination not pose any competitive harms, it actually enhances competition by creating a scaled media and entertainment company with the ability to truly challenge the tech platforms that have come to dominate the industry,\u201d Delrahim said in a statement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Trump administration\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\">Justice Department<\/a> already granted regulatory approval for the merger.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4655624\/judge-temporarily-halts-paramount-warner-bros-merger\/\">FEDERAL JUDGE TEMPORARILY HALTS PARAMOUNT-WARNER BROS. MERGER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the U.S., the merger has drawn scrutiny from Democrats, who have highlighted that Paramount CEO David Ellison is the son of Larry Ellison, a close ally and friend of President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>. Warner Bros. Discovery owns <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cnn\/\">CNN<\/a>, which the president is not fond of and routinely ridicules as \u201cfake news.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The state attorneys general argue that the merger violates Section 7 of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/atr\/merger-guidelines\/overview\">Clayton Act<\/a>, which bans mergers and acquisitions that \u201csubstantially lessen competition\u201d within an industry or create a monopoly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EU approves Paramount-Warner merger after US halt<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2633795,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP25352698793117.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[83039,32233,79164,54802,64882],"class_list":["post-2633794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-antitrust-approval","tag-european-union","tag-media-mergers","tag-paramount-2","tag-warner-bros"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP25352698793117.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633794","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2633794"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633794\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2633798,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633794\/revisions\/2633798"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2633795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2633794"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2633794"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2633794"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}