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Paramount Skydance has petitioned a federal judge to require opposing parties in an antitrust case to post a $1.88 billion bond to compensate for financial losses incurred while the company’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery remains blocked. The motion was filed Monday with Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin, who has set a trial date for March 2027.
Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros. has been halted by litigation brought by 12 states and the Writers Guild of America, who argue the combination would illegally reduce competition in film and television markets. The company claims the court-ordered delay is causing substantial financial harm and seeks the bond to cover anticipated losses during the litigation period.
According to Paramount’s filing, the bond would account for approximately $1.69 billion in “ticking fees” owed to Warner Bros. shareholders, plus $190 million in additional financing costs through mid-2026. The company asserts these represent only partial damages, noting that the merger delay also prevents planned content investments and creates uncertainty for employees at both organizations.
The judge previously waived a standard bond requirement, citing the public interest nature of the states’ antitrust claims. The merger has received regulatory approval from 68 jurisdictions worldwide, with the pending litigation representing the final barrier to closing the deal.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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