Why California Wants to Block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

(Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Airdate: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 10AM
A coalition of 12 states, including California, has filed a lawsuit to block Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. California Attorney General Rob Bonta argues the merger of the two entertainment “behemoths” would lead to higher prices, lower quality and less content for consumers. Meanwhile the federal Justice Department, which has already approved the merger, says it believes the deal won’t hurt competition. Bonta joins us to explain the multistate effort seeking to stop the merger.
- Rob Bonta, California Attorney General
- Daniel Miller, reporter, POLITICO