Block the WBD-PSKY Merger
This is not a done deal.
The lawsuit has been filed. The court has not yet ruled.
The fight to protect the film/tv industry — independent businesses, industry workers, and local communities — is far from over.
The fight isn't over.
Coalition Response · July 13, 2026
Opposition coalition applauds action by 12 state Attorneys General to block the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
“We encourage the AGs to continue examining the full impacts of this transaction, especially for those operating as small, independently-owned businesses within the film/tv industry.”
Jax DelucaExecutive Director, Future Film Coalition
“This industry has had a front-row seat to the harms of consolidation. This is one of the worst proposed mergers we've seen.”
Michele MulroneyPresident, Writers Guild of America West
“Independent filmmakers, not the major studios, make most of the documentary journalism the public relies on.”
Dominic WillsdonExecutive Director, International Documentary Association
“This will kill jobs and screw over the small businesses that are the lifeblood of this industry.”
Alvaro BedoyaSenior Advisor, American Economic Liberties Project
“This merger poses a direct threat to free speech and creative competition.”
Amb. Norm EisenDemocracy Defenders Fund
“State enforcers have done the right thing in seeking to block it.”
Matt StollerAmerican Economic Liberties Project
“People will lose their jobs, their income, their homes.”
Tom FontanaPresident, WGA East
“For months, this merger was treated like it was unstoppable. Today proves it never was.”
Jane FondaCommittee for the First Amendment
Signed on to the statement
Democracy Defenders FundAmerican Economic Liberties ProjectCommittee for the First AmendmentWGA EastWriters Guild WestFree PressPublic CitizenFuture Film CoalitionInternational Documentary Association
What's Happening?
Current Status · July 13, 2026
The lawsuit has been filed. The case is now in federal court.
The proposed Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount transaction would combine two of the largest entertainment companies in the world, further concentrating control over content libraries, television networks, streaming platforms, and the pipelines for content development, production, and distribution.
Despite what the media says, THIS IS NOT A DONE DEAL.
So, what's next…and who has the power to stop it?
- State Attorneys General (AGs) are key enforcers of state and federal laws governing consumer protection, antitrust, and civil rights. Right now, they are among the primary regulators positioned to challenge this proposed merger by filing a preliminary injunction before the DOJ rubber stamps the transaction.
ON JULY 13, 2026, TWELVE STATE AGs FILED SUIT TO BLOCK THE MERGER.
- Issuing a preliminary injunction could ultimately block the merger altogether or result in settlements, structural remedies, or consent agreements designed to mitigate the harms of excessive consolidation and restore fair competition in the marketplace.
- In recent years, State AGs have successfully brought major antitrust cases to court, including the blocking of the Albertsons–Kroger grocery merger, demonstrating that state enforcement can play a decisive role in protecting competitive markets.
The takeaway? Twelve state AGs have now taken action. The case is proceeding in federal court — and continued public engagement helps regulators and the court evaluate the merger's real-world effects.
The time to act is now.
- If you work in the industry, you work within the film and media supply chain: Your everyday experience navigating the shifting marketplace will help regulators challenge the WBD-PSKY transaction.
- This moment is time-sensitive. State Attorneys General reviewing the merger must decide in the coming months whether to challenge the transaction before it closes. To do that, they need evidence showing how consolidation affects real markets, including employment, distribution access, and independent film circulation.
- This is where Future Film Coalition comes in. We will be acting as a conduit to provide regulators with evidence to help them define how the broader film and media supply chain works.
The takeaway? Your story can help regulators evaluate the competitive effects of this merger.
Take Action
The lawsuit is a milestone, not the finish line. Continued public engagement helps regulators, the court, and the field build the record that shapes what comes next.
Legal Update · Where the Case Stands
The lawsuit has been filed. The court has not yet ruled.
See the case tracker, legal timeline, and answers to the most common questions about what comes next.
Share Your Story
Your experience is evidence. Stories from independent film helped build the public record now cited in the state AG lawsuit — and continue to inform how the court and regulators understand the harms of consolidation.
Tell Your StorySupport Independent Research
Twelve state Attorneys General have now filed suit — but the field still lacks comprehensive national data on independent film's economic impact. FFC is a 501(c)(3); your tax-deductible contribution helps launch the first national economic impact study of U.S. independent film production and fund public education and policy analysis that will serve the field long after this case concludes.
Support Our ResearchSpread the Word
The case is proceeding — public attention still matters. Thank the state AGs for taking action and share the campaign using the social media toolkit.
Social Media ToolkitStand Together
The state AGs filed because the harms of consolidation are on the record. Add your name or organization to make it even stronger.
Add Your NameRep the cause → #BlockTheMerger pins!Thank the AGs
Twelve state Attorneys General took action on July 13, 2026. Tag them on social media to thank them, share the case, and keep the merger in public conversation.
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Donate to Support Future Film Coalition
The Future Film Coalition (FFC) advocates for the independent film sector by uniting independent film professionals and organizations to build collective power and shape strategies that ensure U.S. independent filmmaking flourishes alongside the broader entertainment industry. Your donation helps make this work possible.
Donate NowFrequently Asked Questions
What just happened with the lawsuit?
On July 13, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 11 other state Attorneys General filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in the Northern District of California seeking to block the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount merger. The lawsuit has been filed — the merger has not been blocked, and the court has not yet ruled. The case is now entering a new phase. Learn more at blockthemerger.com/what-happens-next.
What is #BlockTheMerger?
#BlockTheMerger is a campaign led by the Future Film Coalition to oppose the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount (WBD-PSKY) merger. Backed by 230+ allies and 33+ organizations—including the International Documentary Association, Free Press, Common Cause, and Open Markets Institute—the campaign has collected testimonials, mobilized public opposition, and helped bring the experiences of independent film stakeholders into the public record. The case is now proceeding in federal court.
What is the WBD-PSKY merger?
The WBD-PSKY merger is a proposed transaction that would combine Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount (including Skydance), two of the largest entertainment companies in the world. It would further concentrate control over content libraries, television networks, streaming platforms, and the pipelines for content development, production, and distribution.
Is the WBD-PSKY merger a done deal?
No. On July 13, 2026, a coalition of twelve state Attorneys General filed a federal antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the merger. The lawsuit has been filed — the court has not yet decided whether the merger may proceed. The case may move through requests for temporary court orders, discovery, hearings, trial, and possibly an appeal.
Who is behind the #BlockTheMerger campaign?
The #BlockTheMerger campaign is led by the Future Film Coalition, a nonprofit organization advocating for the independent film ecosystem. Future Film Coalition created blockthemerger.com to collect testimonials, mobilize public opposition, and help ensure the experiences of independent filmmakers, creative workers, and audiences became part of the broader public conversation and public record.
Who can stop the WBD-PSKY merger?
On July 13, 2026, twelve state Attorneys General filed a federal antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the merger. A federal court will now hear the case and decide whether the merger may proceed. State Attorneys General have independent authority under antitrust law to challenge mergers they believe would substantially lessen competition — the same authority used in cases such as the Albertsons–Kroger grocery merger.
How can I stay involved?
The campaign is entering a new phase focused on public education, legal updates, and continuing to elevate the experiences of independent filmmakers, creative workers, small businesses, and audiences. Supporters can share their experiences at blockthemerger.com, subscribe for campaign updates, join Future Film Coalition, and support ongoing research and advocacy.