Paramount and states defend antitrust settlement against Senator Booker’s criticism

Paramount Skydance and a coalition of state attorneys general say the five‑year consent decree is adequate and should not be subjected to a public‑interest review, countering Senator Booker’s objections.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 28 Sep 2026 23:58:24 GMT

Paramount Skydance and a coalition of 12 state attorneys general have filed responses to Senator Cory Booker’s criticisms of the antitrust settlement that clears the way for the company’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The filings, made on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argue that the deal was vigorously negotiated, has “teeth,” and should not be subject to an independent public‑interest review.

Booker, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, had sent a letter last week asking how the five‑year settlement was reached and whether its terms were adequate. He urged the judge to conduct an “independent public‑interest review” before approving the agreement.

Defence of the settlement

In their filings, Paramount and the states rejected Booker’s central request. Paramount’s lawyers said the consent decree eliminates the risk of post‑merger output reductions and provides certainty for exhibitors and the broader industry by guaranteeing a pipeline of new releases every year. They also argued that a five‑year term was reasonable given the fast‑changing nature of the film and TV business, adding that a longer term could hamper the combined entity’s ability to compete.

The states’ response echoed this view, noting that the review Booker asked for is modeled on the Tunney Act, which governs antitrust settlements proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice, not those reached by states. They stated that there is no legal basis for the court to conduct an independent public‑interest review.

Judge’s stance

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez‑Olguín told both sides to answer Booker’s questions before ruling on the consent decree. She said she would issue a ruling “in due course.” The judge’s decision remains pending.

Earlier court filings on 24 September delayed a decision on the settlement, and earlier negotiations on 21 September stalled as several states demanded stricter conditions. The settlement, reached on 21 September, includes production commitments, workforce training, and an editorial independence board for CNN and CBS.

Key facts

Paramount and 12 state attorneys general filed responses defending the settlement on Monday (variety.com)
Senator Cory Booker requested an independent public‑interest review of the five‑year consent decree (latimes.com)
Judge Martínez‑Olguín said she would rule on the settlement “in due course” after hearing both sides (latimes.com)
The settlement includes production commitments, workforce training, and an editorial independence board for CNN and CBS

Background

Earlier Felo coverage noted that the judge had delayed a decision on the settlement on 24 September and that negotiations had stalled on 21 September as states demanded stricter conditions.