Paramount CEO David Ellison sent a memo to staff on Monday reassuring them that the company's $111 billion (£85 billion) acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery remains on track, despite the deal being placed on hold amid antitrust litigation. The move is significant because it signals the company's determination to push through the merger even as legal challenges create uncertainty for employees and the wider industry, with Ellison seeking to steady staff nerves while the case plays out.

The memo followed Paramount's announcement on Friday that it would delay the deal for several months while contesting antitrust lawsuits brought by 12 state attorneys general, with closing now expected no later than June 2027, or five days after a court ruling, whichever comes first. Ellison told employees he remained "highly confident" the transaction posed no legal issues and said discussions over potential trial dates with the states were under way, with a further update promised for the following Friday; he also noted that regulators in 65 jurisdictions, including the EU, US, China and several European and Asian countries, had already cleared or declined to challenge the deal.