Supreme Court Justice Denies Petition to Stop Paramount Warner Bros Deal

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan rejected an emergency application to halt the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery on October 5, 2026. Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter both reported that the petition was denied without comment, clearing the final legal obstacle before the transaction completes on Tuesday. [1][2][3]

The emergency challenge was submitted by Paramount subscribers in an effort to delay the transaction. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the acquisition represents a $110 billion merger. The terms of the deal require the combined entity to release at least 30 theatrical motion pictures annually for the first two years, followed by 32 films per year for the subsequent three years. [3]

The transaction was first announced on February 27, 2026, when Paramount Skydance proposed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $31 per share, valuing the company at $110.9 billion. Financing for the merger is backed by the Ellison family and RedBird Capital Partners, alongside sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. [9]

As the acquisition reaches completion, executive changes are occurring across operational units. The Hollywood Reporter reported that TNT Sports executive Luis Silberwasser is leaving the company, with CBS Sports head David Berson designated to oversee the consolidated sports business. As FTMQ Film & TV reported earlier, Skydance Chief Executive David Ellison has finalized the combined executive team, retaining key leaders including HBO Chairman Casey Bloys and DC Studios co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran. [6][10]