WGA Files Lawsuit to Block Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK (July 14, 2026)—Today, the Writers Guild of America East and Writers Guild of America West (jointly WGA), filed suit to block the proposed merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery on the grounds that it violates federal antitrust law and would cause specific harm to writers.

“With fewer competitors, the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. entity would have both the incentive and the ability to lower costs by suppressing writers’ wages and reducing output. Writers will be paid less and have fewer employment opportunities,” the WGA complaint states.

The complaint details how the merger would reduce opportunities, lower pay and worsen working conditions for writers. The elimination of a key competitor and the creation of a new dominant firm would result in reduction in the quantity and variety of theatrical films and television series as the merged company would have a greater ability to reduce output. Furthermore, the complaint asserts that merger would increase the ability for the few remaining companies to tacitly coordinate to further suppress competition for writers’ work.

“If Paramount succeeds in buying Warner Bros., the merged firm will be the largest buyer of original film and television programming in the United States,” said WGAW President Michele Mulroney. “This would eliminate competition in an already consolidated industry, threatening the livelihoods of entertainment workers and the creative diversity of TV and film. We applaud the dozen state Attorneys General who have stepped up to enforce our antitrust laws and are proud to file suit along side them.”

Since Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery was announced, the WGA has raised awareness about this threat to State Attorney General offices and federal legislators, submitted comments to regulatory agencies and Congress, and participated in press events as part of a coalition of democracy and arts organizations.

The WGA complaint focuses on the anticompetitive effects of the merger in three markets for writing services: anticipated top grossing films, episodic television and streaming series, and overall deals.

“The Writers Guild of America will not stand idly by as Paramount attempts to violate our country’s antitrust laws and deepen the contraction entertainment workers already feel,” said WGAE President Tom Fontana. “This proposed combined entity would be the largest employer of writers, with tremendous power to suppress our wages, eliminate opportunities for emerging writers, cut jobs across the industry, and produce less programming, effecting the range of storytelling. This merger is not inevitable and we are fighting to stop it.”

The WGA is represented in this lawsuit by Shinder Cantor Lerner LLP, Cuneo Gilbert Flannery & LaDuca, LLP, and Platkin LLP. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Read the WGA full complaint.

See the fact sheet for more on the lawsuit.

The WGA has also publicly opposed the recent mergers of Disney-Fox, Amazon-MGM, AT&T-Time Warner, and Comcast-Time Warner Cable, among others.

About The Writers Guild of America
The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) are labor unions of writers working in motion pictures, television, news, podcasts, and online media. The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members; conduct programs, seminars, and events on issues of interest to writers; and present writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America West, visit www.wga.org. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit www.wgaeast.org.

About Cuneo Gilbert Flannery & LaDuca, LLP
Cuneo Gilbert Flannery & LaDuca, LLP has been serving clients in complex civil litigation in practice areas ranging from antitrust law and class actions to government and legislative advocacy with a team of proven lawyers since 1988. With 35+ years of experience, CGFL believes it is the only law firm of our size equally at home on Capitol Hill, in a political debate, a state trial, or an appellate court. Learn more about the firm: www.cuneolaw.com.

About Shinder Cantor Lerner LLP
SCL is a national antitrust litigation boutique with an established track record of success litigating and advising on high-stakes bet-the-industry matters on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants nationwide. With offices in New York and Washington, Shinder Cantor Lerner focuses on antitrust law. Learn more: scl-llp.com.

About Platkin LLP
Platkin LLP is a mission-driven law firm founded by former New Jersey Attorney General (AG) Matthew Platkin and a talented team of litigators from the AG’s office. From lawsuits that demand accountability at the highest levels to cases that ensure the public’s safety, protect consumers, and uphold the foundations of our democracy, Platkin doesn’t just win, they set legal precedents to protect the public for generations to come.

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