California Democrats, led by Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), are urging Attorney General Rob Bonta to scrutinize the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.
The deal, spearheaded by billionaire David Ellison, could reshape Hollywood by merging two historic studios. On Thursday (May 7), Friedman and 33 other members of Congress expressed concerns about potential antitrust harms and urged Bonta to consider legal action if necessary.
The proposed merger has sparked significant opposition from Hollywood, with more than 4,000 industry workers, including Jane Fonda, Ben Stiller, and J.J. Abrams, signing an open letter calling for the deal to be blocked. Critics fear the merger could lead to job losses and reduced competition, as Paramount expects $6 billion in cost savings.
Bonta, who is already investigating the merger, has expressed skepticism about the federal government’s ability to conduct a fair review, citing the close ties between the Ellison family and President Trump. The merger would consolidate Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures, along with streaming services HBO Max, Discovery+, and Paramount+, raising concerns about media consolidation.
California lawmakers argue that the merger could harm workers and consumers, and they are pressing Bonta to take action. Bonta has coordinated his antitrust review with New York Attorney General Letitia James, highlighting the potential for state-led intervention.
Despite the concerns, Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders have voted in favor of the merger, which is expected to clear its antitrust review at the U.S. Justice Department. Paramount CEO David Ellison has promised to maintain the studios’ current release schedules and expand job opportunities.
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