Cinemark's endorsement of the $111 billion Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger has prompted an immediate response from Cinema United, the exhibition industry's main lobbying group, which called for state attorneys general and Paramount to meet and discuss a settlement despite the group's own reservations about consolidation. The development highlights a growing split between the industry's three biggest chains, which now all back the deal, and their trade body, which had previously warned through president Michael O'Leary that a Warner Bros. takeover could mean fewer films and theatre closures.

Cinemark said it had come round to the merger after Paramount Skydance chief executive David Ellison pledged to release at least 30 films a year and honour a 45-day theatrical window, commitments it said would be formalised as written agreements and consent decrees; the statement was issued via a spokesperson rather than chief executive Sean Gamble. Cinemark also welcomed what it called "constructive dialogue" between Paramount Skydance and Cinema United, while the lobbying group, in its own statement, said it remained concerned about consolidation but was "open to steps that will protect the exhibition industry" as part of efforts toward a resolution.