American film studio and distribution arm of Warner Bros. Entertainment
A coalition of U.S. states led by California has sought a preliminary injunction to block Paramount’s planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The court actions aim to pause the deal while antitrust reviews proceed globally, with the EU also weighing concessions. Paramount says it is prepared to pursue a schedule to close the deal if blocked. A ticking fee could be triggered if closing slips past Sept. 30.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has opened with a record domestic debut, while The Odyssey leads the global box office, underscoring a year of mega releases. The industry is buoyed by premium formats and high ticket prices, even as overall audiences lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
U.S. states have filed suit to block Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, asserting it would control about one-third of major movie titles and cable programming. The case has prompted talks of structural remedies, though theaters and other stakeholders seek protections before any approval. A trial is set for March, with ongoing talks in the background.
Actor Mark Ruffalo has urged lawmakers to block Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery, linking the deal to Oracle’s ties to Israel. Paramount calls the rhetoric antisemitic tropes; George Clooney defends Ruffalo’s right to speak. Over 170 Jewish artists have signed a letter supporting Ruffalo. The merger remains under antitrust scrutiny and on hold as debate intensifies.
The Guardian reports on multiple cultural releases this week, including new sci-fi and horror films, a romcom, and live events across the UK. The pieces highlight a mix of big-name talent and emerging artists, with festival announcements and gallery shows in major cities.
The Oasis documentary Don’t Look Back in Anger chronicles the 2025 reunion tour, capturing Liam and Noel Gallagher’s reconciliation and the emotional response from fans in Cardiff. Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern show how music bridged a 15-year rift, culminating in a two-hour set that resonated across generations.
Paramount Skydance faces antitrust litigation blocking its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. A California-led legal challenge threatens to push Paramount’s headquarters and thousands of jobs out of California, triggering a potential $10.6–$21.2 billion hit to state output and hundreds of millions in tax losses. The LAEDC warns the move could reshape Hollywood’s economic center.
Twelve state attorneys general have reached a settlement with Paramount Skydance that has cleared the way for its merger with Warner Bros. The deal has required independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS, a commitment to release at least 30 theatrical films a year and a $30m penalty if that output target is missed. Critics and media advocates have condemned the concessions.
David Ellison has closed the roughly $110 billion merger that combines Paramount and Warner Bros. into a single company rebranded Skydance. The deal has folded HBO Max and Paramount+ together under one owner, brought CBS and CNN into the same corporate roof, and left the new firm carrying heavy debt while promising film release minimums and editorial safeguards.
Netflix has announced a major round of job cuts, affecting its product, tech, legal and human-resources teams. The company says it remains on track to meet its full-year forecast, with around 16,000 employees at year-end and renewed emphasis on high-impact areas amid a competitive streaming landscape.
Netflix has announced significant job cuts and a leadership shake-up as it reports quarterly results. The company is downsizing roughly 1,000 roles across product, tech, HR and legal, while Bela Bajaria departs as chief content officer and Peter Rice steps in. The moves come as Netflix faces slowed growth, intensifying competition, and questions about its long-term strategy, including its push into games and podcasts.