NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani opposes Paramount-WBD merger
Mayor backs multistate lawsuit challenging $110bn media deal
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani voiced support for a multistate lawsuit seeking to block Paramount's proposed $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the deal would harm consumers, workers and competition across the entertainment industry.
Zohran Mamdani backs antitrust lawsuit
In a statement shared on social media on July 13, Mamdani said he was "proud" that New York joined 11 other states in filing an antitrust lawsuit aimed at stopping the proposed merger.
Calling it "not a merger that serves the public", the mayor argued the deal would give one company control over nearly a third of the films and cable channels watched by Americans. He also warned it could increase streaming and cable prices, threaten jobs across New York's entertainment sector and put local cinemas at risk.
New York attorney general outlines concerns
New York Attorney General Letitia James said the merger would eliminate long-standing competition between Paramount and Warner Bros., creating a media company with unprecedented influence over news and entertainment.
She argued the proposed deal could increase costs for consumers while putting jobs and businesses across the country at risk, adding that the lawsuit aims to preserve competition in the industry.
Paramount defends proposed merger
Paramount has rejected the lawsuit, saying efforts to block the transaction would delay the deal and ultimately harm entertainment workers.
The company also argued that the merger would strengthen its ability to compete with major technology companies that have become increasingly dominant in the media and streaming business.
