NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� A federal judge on Monday ordered Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to halt for at least two weeks, allowing more time to see their case through in court.
Twelve states, led by California, sued to block Paramount鈥檚 pending buyout of Warner last week鈥� alleging that such a combination would 鈥渆xtinguish competition鈥� in Hollywood and lead to fewer choices for consumers, particularly moviegoers and cable customers across the U.S.
The states鈥� top prosecutors called on Warner and Paramount to not close the transaction until after a court had time to 鈥渇ully evaluate鈥� their claims. And when the companies refused, they filed for a temporary restraining order 鈥� which is what District Judge Araceli Mart铆nez-Olgu铆n granted on Monday. That opens the door to a potential preliminary injunction that the states are also seeking to effectively block the deal.
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