Resource Center
Explore the public record surrounding the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger. This Resource Center brings together legal filings, government documents, congressional oversight, testimony, coalition materials, educational resources, and media coverage examining how media consolidation affects independent film, journalism, creative workers, audiences, and the public interest.
About this Resource Center. This page curates publicly available documents and selected analysis from across the public record. Inclusion of a resource does not imply endorsement by the Block the Merger Coalition. Official statements from government agencies, companies, coalition partners, and other organizations are included to provide a fuller understanding of the issues and proceedings.
Featured Resources
What Happens Next
Track the current status of the lawsuit, major campaign milestones, and what to expect as the case proceeds.
See the TimelineVideo / Town HallAttorneys General Town Hall↗
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James discuss the legal basis for the states' lawsuit and explain what happens next.
WatchLegal FilingState Attorneys General Complaint
A coalition of twelve state Attorneys General filed a federal antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Read the Complaint (PDF)Educational ResourceFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the lawsuit, the campaign, and how the merger affects independent film, workers, and audiences.
Read the FAQLooking for the latest case developments?
Visit What Happens Next to follow the legal timeline, current status, and major milestones.
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38 of 38 resources
What Happens Next
Track the current status of the lawsuit, major campaign milestones, and what to expect as the case proceeds.
Attorneys General Town Hall↗
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James discuss the legal basis for the states' lawsuit and explain what happens next.
State Attorneys General Complaint
A coalition of twelve state Attorneys General filed a federal antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the lawsuit, the campaign, and how the merger affects independent film, workers, and audiences.
Emergency Motion for TRO and Preliminary Injunction
Attorney General Bonta filed an emergency motion in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction to immediately block the merger from closing.
Writers Guild of America Complaint↗
The Writers Guild of America filed a complaint challenging the proposed transaction and raising concerns about its effects on writers, competition, and the creative workforce.
Paramount Response to the State Attorneys General Lawsuit↗
Paramount disputes the states' allegations and argues that the proposed transaction would strengthen competition and benefit consumers and creative talent.
Senator Elizabeth Warren Letter Regarding the Merger Bid↗
Senator Elizabeth Warren called for close federal scrutiny of the proposed transaction and its potential effects on competition, workers, creators, and consumers.
Senator Cory Booker Record-Preservation Letter↗
Senator Cory Booker requested that Paramount preserve documents and communications relevant to congressional oversight and potential antitrust review.
Department of Justice Statement Closing Its Investigation↗
The Department of Justice announced that it had closed its federal investigation without challenging the transaction. The states subsequently pursued an independent antitrust case.
Free Press Comments on Foreign Ownership↗
Free Press submitted comments examining the foreign-ownership implications of the proposed transaction and urging careful public-interest review.
APA Comment to the UK DCMS on the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
Comment filed with the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport urging intervention in the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Joint IDA & DFC Comment to the UK DCMS on the Paramount Skydance Merger
Joint comment from IDA and the Documentary Film Council (DFC) filed with the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport on media plurality and the impact of the Paramount Skydance–Warner Bros. Discovery merger on independent documentary.
Democracy Defenders Fund Letter to the UK DCMS on the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
Letter to the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the media plurality, press freedom, and democratic risks of the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Free Press Action Testimony↗
Testimony originally prepared for the House Judiciary Committee's Antitrust Subcommittee and later submitted for the April 15 public forum examines the risks of further media concentration.
Coalition Letter to State Attorneys General↗
A coalition of public-interest and industry organizations urged state Attorneys General to investigate the transaction's effects on competition and the media ecosystem.
AELP AG Letter re: Paramount / Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
A follow-up letter to state Attorneys General urging antitrust scrutiny specifically of the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery transaction.
Future Film Coalition · House Judiciary Hearing Statement
Future Film Coalition statement submitted for the House Judiciary Committee hearing on media consolidation.
Cinema United · House Judiciary Hearing Statement
Cinema United statement submitted for the House Judiciary Committee hearing on media consolidation.
WGA East & West · House Judiciary Hearing Statement
Writers Guild of America (East and West) joint statement submitted for the House Judiciary Committee hearing on media consolidation.
Future Film Coalition · Senate Judiciary Hearing Statement
Future Film Coalition statement submitted for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on media consolidation.
Cinema United · Senate Judiciary Hearing Statement
Cinema United statement submitted for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on media consolidation.
WGA East & West · Senate Judiciary Hearing Statement
Writers Guild of America (East and West) joint statement submitted for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on media consolidation.
FFC Opening Testimony · Senate Spotlight Hearing
Opening testimony from FFC Executive Director Jax Deluca at the Senate Spotlight Hearing on the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Free-Expression Groups and Creative Unions Letter↗
The signatories called for an independent, transparent, and corruption-free review of the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery takeover.
Opposition Coalition Statement on the State Attorneys General Lawsuit↗
Coalition organizations welcomed the lawsuit filed by twelve state Attorneys General and reiterated concerns about competition, workers, creators, and the public interest.
Media Consolidation & Indie Film: Virtual Teach-In↗
A virtual teach-in on media consolidation and its effects on independent film, distribution, and creative labor.
#BlockTheMerger Explainer
Overview of the campaign, the proposed merger, and why independent film stakeholders are organized in opposition.
Testimony: Netflix–Warner Bros. Discovery Merger↗
Open Markets Institute testimony on the competitive and public-interest implications of consolidation in film and television.
What's Next in the Fight to Block the Paramount–Warner Bros. Deal↗
Free Press examines where the case stands after the state Attorneys General's lawsuit, what to expect from the litigation, and what continued public engagement can look like.
Media Mergers Are a Bad Deal for Everyone↗
An analysis of how media mergers reshape competition, journalism, and access to public-interest content.
Media Consolidation Teach-In Resources List↗
A curated resource list on media consolidation, prepared to accompany the IDA teach-in for documentary makers and audiences.
Hollywood Heavyweights Oppose Paramount Deal↗
NPR reports on prominent entertainment figures joining organized opposition to the proposed merger and the campaign's public letter.
Mark Ruffalo and Industry Figures Oppose the Merger↗
Variety reports on Mark Ruffalo and other entertainment figures publicly opposing the proposed transaction.
Hollywood Is Right to Fear Another Mega-Merger↗
This opinion essay examines the risks that additional consolidation could pose to competition, creative opportunity, and the entertainment industry.
Poynter Commentary on News and Media Archives↗
This commentary examines what the proposed merger could mean for CNN, CBS News, journalistic independence, and historically significant media archives.
Damon Lindelof Interview↗
Damon Lindelof discusses why writers, filmmakers, and other members of the creative community are concerned about the proposed merger.
Netflix and Paramount deals are both wrong for WBD – and democracy↗
An op-ed arguing that further consolidation of Warner Bros. Discovery — whether by Netflix or Paramount — threatens democratic media infrastructure.
What's at Risk
Consolidation has downstream effects on stories, creators, workers, theaters, and audiences.
Fewer Choices and Fewer Stories
When big media companies merge, there are fewer places for independent films to be bought or shown. That means fewer stories are made, and fewer voices and perspectives are represented.
Harder for Films to Reach Audiences
Big media companies can decide where and how a film is released — or whether it's released at all. Important films may never reach theaters, schools, or communities that want to see them.
Lower Pay for Creative Workers
As companies get bigger and competition shrinks, budgets often go down. Writers, actors, directors, crew members, editors, and other workers are paid less for their work — or can't find work at all.
Loss of Long-Term Income for Creators
Many filmmakers used to earn income over time when their work was shown again or sold in new ways. Today, large companies increasingly demand full ownership of films, cutting creators off from future earnings.
Fewer Career Opportunities
Shorter productions and fewer outlets mean fewer chances for people to build lasting careers in film and TV, especially for new and emerging talent.
Local Theaters and Film Festivals at Risk
Independent movie theaters and film festivals are small businesses that bring people together in towns and cities across the country. Mergers can limit their ability to access new releases or classic films that help keep their doors open.
Finished Films Disappearing
After recent mergers, companies have cancelled production, shelved, or buried films and TV shows. Years of creative work can simply vanish, never to be seen by the public.
Less Creative Freedom
When media ownership is concentrated, companies are more likely to avoid stories that feel risky, challenging, or controversial. That leads to fewer diverse perspectives and a narrower range of ideas in our culture.
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