Paramount's multibillion-dollar deal to take over Warner Brothers has been put on pause by a federal judge.
The acquisition, valued at US$110 billion, has been halted until 3 August, following the ruling from U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín.
It comes as a result of a multi-state coalition, led by California, that the deal would cause irreversible harm to the media landscape, competition, and antitrust.
The lawsuit began on 13 July, filed by a total of 12 states, and the hearing set for August will determine if it will continue and delay the deal further.
"Today’s decision is an important victory for all those who would be hurt by this merger, and I look forward to continuing to fight this case," said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
