ReportParamount Clears Warner Bros Takeover Without Selling CNNAired September 23, 2026 at 6:51 AM UTCWritten September 23, 2026 at 6:53 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:11Paramount just cleared its Warner Brothers takeover without selling CNN.0:15The settlement lifts the legal block from 12 states and Hollywood writers, opening0:19the way to close one of the largest media mergers ever attempted.0:23What did Paramount actually give up to save the deal, and which multi-billion dollar0:27numbers still do not agree?0:28Paramount settled antitrust claims brought by a California-led coalition of 120:33states that sued to block the merger, and by the Writers Guild of America.0:36The agreement removes the state legal obstacle and lets the purchase move toward0:40closing, possibly within the next few weeks.0:42It does so without structural sell-offs, meaning no forced sale of CNN or film0:47franchises.0:47The clearance is certain.0:49The price is not.0:50Settlement announcements from September 21st to 22nd agree the merger can proceed0:55while putting the acquisition value at $110 billion,0:59$81 billion for Warner Bros.1:01Discovery, and $111 billion for Warner Bros.1:04Discovery.1:05$7 million a day is the clock running behind the settlement.1:08If the deal did not close after the end of September, Paramount faced paying that1:12amount each day to Warner shareholders, fees offered to win shareholders away from1:16rival bidder Netflix.1:18In place of divestitures, Paramount accepted enforceable guardrails on output,1:21investment distribution, and news.1:23It will distribute at least 30 films each year for the first two years, then at1:26least 32 films each year for the following three years.1:29It agreed to five years of support for television distributors and theaters,1:32including negotiating cable distribution separately for five years, plus a temporary1:36price freeze.1:36The American production commitment is in direct conflict.1:39One account puts the extra United States production spend at $300 million each year,1:44$1.5 billion in total.1:46Another puts additional annual investment in United States production at $30 million1:50each year.1:51The settlement also includes California studio commitments.1:53No streaming price caps were imposed, and there is no requirement to keep Paramount1:57Plus and HBO Max separate.1:59That leaves theaters and distributors relying on five years of negotiated support2:03whose exact terms are not yet public.2:05The settlement includes editorial independence and news oversight pledges affecting2:09CNN and CBS News, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta linked to the2:13settlement and its review.2:15How that oversight works and who enforces it is not yet spelled out.2:18Critics call the remedy weak and warn of job cuts for Hollywood workers and future2:23leverage over theaters that could affect ticket prices and programming, with2:26possible further congressional scrutiny as the clock runs toward closing.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗