Paramount-Warner Bros deal at risk of delays amid court challenge that could cost billions

Judge granted request from California and 11 other states opposing the transaction to pause the deal for two weeks, saying it 'likely' violates antitrust law

On Monday, a federal judge granted a request from states challenging the deal to pause the tie-up for two weeks. 

Paramount Skydance was on the brink of closing its blockbuster $110bn (€96bn) takeover of Warner Bros Discovery. Now the companies are facing a legal hurdle that risks putting the deal on hold for months at a cost that could quickly climb to billions of dollars.

On Monday, a federal judge granted a request from states challenging the deal to pause the tie-up for two weeks, saying it “likely” violates antitrust law. But that could be just the start of a much longer delay.