Overview
- The federal judge in Oakland extended the temporary suspension of the merger on Thursday, July 23, moving the deadline to August 17 so parties have more time to brief the court.
- A preliminary hearing remains set for August 3 to decide whether the pause should continue while the case proceeds.
- Paramount has asked for an expedited three-day evidentiary hearing in mid or late August to introduce proof that the transaction will not harm competition.
- The Writers Guild has filed its own injunction and asked to align its hearing with the states' August 3 session, creating scheduling conflict the court must resolve.
- If the pause persists the deal carries steep commercial costs for Paramount, including about $7 million per day after October 1 and the risk of more than $1 billion in cumulative delay-related charges, and a full trial is expected if preliminary issues are not settled.