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PARAMOUNT COMMITS TO 30 ANNUAL FILMS FOR WBD MERGER

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
TUE, SEP 22, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

Paramount has settled a 12-state lawsuit blocking its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The studio agreed to release at least 30 movies per year and invest $300 million more in US film and TV production.

The settlement clears a major regulatory hurdle for what would become one of the world's largest media conglomerates. Paramount's commitments address state concerns about the merger's impact on domestic film production and employment. The studio plans to maintain aggressive theatrical releases following the acquisition. This output level requires scaling operations considerably—currently, Paramount releases fewer films annually. The $300 million investment pledge targets production spending within the United States specifically. Regulators sought assurances that consolidation wouldn't reduce Hollywood output or shift production abroad. The agreement binds the merged entity to these production thresholds, establishing enforcement mechanisms for compliance. The merger still requires approval from the Federal Trade Commission and other federal regulators. The state settlement represents significant progress toward closing the deal, which has faced scrutiny since announcement.

■ SOURCES

The Verge

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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