California Attorney General Rob Bonta has called off a planned meeting with Paramount Skydance after details of settlement talks leaked. The cancellation adds another hurdle to Paramount’s proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.
What We Know: Bonta canceled Monday’s planned meeting with Paramount representatives late Sunday. The discussion was expected to begin preliminary settlement talks over California’s lawsuit against the proposed merger. Preliminary reports indicated Bonta and other attorneys general wanted Paramount to divest some cable networks as part of a potential resolution. The meeting was scheduled to discuss those issues, though neither side had committed to a settlement. California leads a coalition of 12 states seeking to block the transaction.
What They Said: “Not only did Paramount leak the alleged substance of settlement discussions, but they misrepresented these discussions, demonstrating a lack of good faith. As soon as Paramount stops playing games and engages sincerely, my office is happy to meet again.” -California Attorney General Rob Bonta
What Remains Unclear: Paramount hasn’t publicly explained its account of the leaked discussions. It also remains unclear whether Bonta will reschedule the meeting or whether the dispute will delay broader settlement negotiations. The companies face continued regulatory opposition as the proposed transaction moves toward litigation.
What It Means: The canceled meeting signals that tensions remain high between Paramount and California officials. Moreover, any settlement could require significant concessions from Paramount, particularly if attorneys general maintain their push for cable network divestitures. Bonta has previously called for “robust structural remedies” to address his antitrust concerns.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.