Paramount-WBD Merger Saga

Ellison demands $1.88B bond from AGs and WGA to cover antitrust suit costs, with $7M/day ticking fee starting Oct 1. Merger delayed to June 2027 with $7B breakup fee. March trial date set. Operational paralysis and talent flight continue—David Heyman leaves WB for Amazon MGM first-look deal. Paramount+ pursues curated slate strategy under Jane Wiseman—female dramas, genre, YA, no comedies, opening to third-party studios—amid uncertainty.