A U.S. judge has granted merger opponents the right to file amicus briefs in the Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery antitrust settlement case, delaying the formal approval hearing scheduled for 11 am PT. The decision allows public interest groups such as Free Press to submit arguments against the consent decree, which they argue is weak and unenforceable. This development is significant because it prevents what was expected to be a swift rubber-stamping of the $111 billion merger settlement negotiated between Paramount and state Attorneys General.

The opposition briefs must be filed by midnight on 25 September 2026, making same-day approval impossible. Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery have opposed the delay, arguing that non-parties should not have power to impede the transaction. Paramount faces mounting pressure, as £7 million (approximately $7 million USD) in daily fees to WBD shareholders begin accruing on 1 October, accumulating to over £630 million quarterly. California AG Rob Bonta negotiated the September 21 settlement following political pressure from Governor Gavin Newsom and entertainment industry leaders concerned about potential job losses and economic damage to Hollywood.