WGA Sues to Block Paramount-Skydance Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery Over Antitrust Concerns

(CNA, Los Angeles, 14th –综合外电) Following lawsuits filed the previous day by California and 11 other states, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), representing screenwriters nationwide, filed a lawsuit today to block Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the deal would violate federal antitrust laws and harm writers’ livelihoods.

This marks another obstacle for Paramount in building an entertainment empire capable of competing with streaming giants like Netflix and Disney.

The WGA represents approximately 18,000 writers across the United States, with members spread throughout the entertainment industry, making it one of Hollywood’s most powerful unions.

According to reports from AFP, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal, the day before, California and 11 other states separately sued to block the merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. This lawsuit, led by 12 state attorneys general, is seen as the biggest hurdle yet to Paramount CEO David Ellison’s plan to build a media powerhouse.

The WGA followed suit today, aiming to use its new lawsuit to overturn the U.S. Department of Justice’s approval of the merger.

In its complaint, the union argues that if approved, the merged entity would become the world’s largest employer of film and television writers. With fewer competitors, the combined Paramount-Warner could have the incentive to suppress writers’ pay and aggressively cut costs.

The complaint also states that further industry consolidation would harm creative diversity in Hollywood, as studios would increasingly prioritize low-risk projects over bold, ambitious works.

The Ellison family, owners of Paramount Skydance, have close ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The deal would give them control over CBS News, CNN, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. studios, and streaming platforms Paramount+ and HBO Max.

To gain public support, the merged group has pledged to release at least 30 films annually, with each receiving a minimum 45-day theatrical window.

The lawsuits in the U.S. are being closely watched by regulators in the UK and the European Union, neither of which has yet approved the transaction. (Translation: Tsai Chia-min) 1150715

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