Updated Jul 28, 2026
/Incyte Q2 2026 revenue rises 38% to $1.67 billion on Opzelura settlement benefit/BitGo and OTC Markets plan tokenized securities access for more than 150 broker-dealers/IMF warns Brazil's stablecoin flows outpace traditional cross-border capital/Senate moves toward Russia sanctions vote as Graham's memorial draws world leaders to Washington/EU clears Paramount's $110 billion Warner Bros. takeover as U.S. judge halts deal/SK Hynix shares plunge nearly 15% in Seoul as chip sell-off deepens/Incyte Q2 2026 revenue rises 38% to $1.67 billion on Opzelura settlement benefit/BitGo and OTC Markets plan tokenized securities access for more than 150 broker-dealers/IMF warns Brazil's stablecoin flows outpace traditional cross-border capital/Senate moves toward Russia sanctions vote as Graham's memorial draws world leaders to Washington/EU clears Paramount's $110 billion Warner Bros. takeover as U.S. judge halts deal/SK Hynix shares plunge nearly 15% in Seoul as chip sell-off deepens
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EU clears Paramount's $110 billion Warner Bros. takeover as U.S. judge halts deal

BRUSSELS, July 28. European Union regulators approved Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., clearing the transaction abroad even as a federal judge in the United States moved to suspend it. The judge paused the merger after ruling that states had raised "serious questions" about antitrust law, producing a split outcome between the two jurisdictions.

By Mara Whitfield2 min read
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BRUSSELS, July 28. European Union regulators approved Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., clearing the transaction abroad even as a federal judge in the United States moved to suspend it. The judge paused the merger after ruling that states had raised "serious questions" about antitrust law, producing a split outcome between the two jurisdictions.

A divided regulatory verdict

The EU's clearance placed European competition authorities in direct contrast to U.S. state-level opposition, which had moved to block the deal on antitrust grounds. A federal judge agreed that the challenge met a threshold for intervention and issued the pause. European approval carries no bearing on U.S. court proceedings.

The split leaves both companies in an uncertain position. Paramount and Warner Bros. hold a green light in Europe and a court-ordered hold in the United States. The $110 billion transaction is effectively frozen in its home market even as it clears scrutiny elsewhere.

What the federal pause means for the deal

When a federal judge rules that a plaintiff has raised "serious questions," it clears the bar for a preliminary injunction, meaning the legal challenge can proceed and the underlying transaction cannot close in the meantime. The judge's language in this ruling tracks that standard. A final determination on the merits has not been issued.

The outcome in U.S. courts will decide whether the EU's clearance can be acted upon. Until American proceedings resolve the antitrust questions states have brought forward, the $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. combination remains on hold in the United States.

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Key takeaways

Frequently asked

Why did a U.S. judge halt the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal?

The judge paused the merger after agreeing that states had raised "serious questions" about antitrust law, which met the threshold for a preliminary injunction. That standard allows the legal challenge to proceed and prevents the transaction from closing in the meantime.

Does the EU's approval override the U.S. court ruling?

No, European approval carries no bearing on U.S. court proceedings. The outcome in U.S. courts will decide whether the EU's clearance can be acted upon.

How much is the acquisition worth?

The acquisition of Warner Bros. by Paramount is valued at $110 billion.

Has a final decision been made on the merger?

No, a final determination on the merits has not been issued, and the deal remains on hold in the United States until American proceedings resolve the antitrust questions.