PARAMOUNT $PSKY DISCUSSED A $1.5B CALIFORNIA PRODUCTION INVESTMENT TO CLEAR ITS WARNER BROS. MERGER
The company and the state attorneys general that sued to block the $81B merger with Warner Bros. Discovery $WBD spent the weekend working through a possible settlement, per people familiar cited by WSJ. No final deal has been reached.
Concessions under discussion:
- A $1.5B investment in California production
- A promise not to sell either studio lot and to remain in the state
- Penalties if Paramount misses an earlier pledge to make 30 movies a year post-merger, including divesting its Miramax stake
- Sales of some cable channels
- A board to ensure CNN retains editorial independence