1240 ET - A group of 12 state attorneys general sued to block Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, posing a threat to the $81 billion megadeal. The coalition requested Paramount and Warner not close the merger until after the lawsuit concludes or they will file a temporary restraining order to attempt to stop the deal from moving forward. The lawsuit marks the biggest obstacle to the deal the companies have faced since announcing the merger, given the Justice Department and many international territories have already signed off on it. If the states delay the deal, Paramount could also face financial implications, given its required to pay Warner shareholders a quarterly ticking fee if the deal doesn't close by Sept. 30 as part of the acquisition agreement. (kelly.cloonan@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 13, 2026 12:40 ET (16:40 GMT)

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