A federal judge has extended a temporary order blocking the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. for an additional 14 days. The ruling prevents the $111 billion deal from closing before Aug. 18. A hearing on a preliminary injunction is set for Aug. 3.
Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin issued the extension on Thursday. The order builds on a 14-day restraining order first granted on Monday.
The judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on Aug. 3 to consider a request for a preliminary injunction that would block the deal indefinitely. Paramount has asked for extra time to prepare its case against the injunction.
A coalition of 12 state attorneys general claims the merger would violate the Clayton Act by reducing competition in basic cable and theatrical distribution markets. The Writers Guild of America has filed a separate challenge, arguing the deal would suppress writers' pay and lead to homogenized content.
Martinez-Olguin urged the parties to seek an agreement on scheduling. The WGA motion will be resolved on the same timeline as the states' request.
