First Pass

24 stories from 12 sources

Paramount clears the path to Hollywood’s biggest consolidation

Day’s Recap

Supporting Articles

Paramount Skydance has settled lawsuits brought by 12 state attorneys general and the Writers Guild, clearing the remaining legal barrier to its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The agreement allows the companies to move toward closing the $110 billion transaction.

6:29 PMBloomberg Markets

California Attorney General Rob Bonta defended the antitrust settlement permitting Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, citing independent monitoring and expected job creation. Critics note that the agreement does not include the structural remedies Bonta had previously demanded.

3:37 PMVariety

Paramount's settlement talks with California officials over its proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition reportedly include a commitment to release 30 films in theaters each year. The company could face a $30 million penalty for every film below that target and potentially have to sell its stake in Miramax.

12:46 PMBloomberg Markets

Paramount has reached an agreement with 12 state attorneys general in an antitrust case, removing a major obstacle to its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The settlement came before Paramount faced a reported $7 million daily ticking fee tied to the deal’s closing timeline.

10:56 AMVariety

David Ellison told Paramount staff that the company aims to close its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in approximately two weeks. The timetable follows settlements with state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America.

2:06 PMVariety

JPMorgan's global investment banking co-head Dorothee Blessing says deal activity has been strong and remains on course for a record year. She discussed the outlook at the JPMorgan India Conference.

1:24 AMBloomberg Markets

Other Developments

A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.

Victoria Industrial Properties and Lincoln Equities Group bought a seven-building flex-industrial portfolio in Northern Virginia’s Dulles Tech Corridor for $62.5 million. Klein Enterprises sold the properties, which include assets in Herndon and Sterling.

5:50 PMHousing Wire

US-based ReturnPro acquired Europe’s iF Returns, expanding its operations into the European returns-management market. ReturnPro said iF Returns’ technology would also benefit its US business.

9:01 AMWWD

Patria Investments and minority partner Ashmore Colombia agreed to sell one of Colombia’s largest solar parks to power generator Isagen for an undisclosed amount. The transaction completes Patria’s investment cycle from early development through operations.

8:30 AMBloomberg Markets

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