Home / Business and Economy / California Vows to Block Unlawful Media Consolidation Amid Warner Bros. Discovery Sale Talks
California Vows to Block Unlawful Media Consolidation Amid Warner Bros. Discovery Sale Talks
4 Nov
Summary
- California AG's office opposes further media consolidation
- Warns a Warner Bros. Discovery merger would "not serve the American economy, consumers, or competition well"
- Writers Guild warns a merger would be a "disaster" for writers, consumers, and competition
As of November 4th, 2025, California's Department of Justice is taking a firm stance against further media consolidation, particularly in the wake of Warner Bros. Discovery's potential sale. A spokesperson for the state's Attorney General, Robert Bonta, has stated that the DOJ is "committed to protecting consumers and California's economy from consolidation we find unlawful."
This comes after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) warned that a merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and another major studio or streamer would be a "disaster for writers, for consumers and for competition." The WGA has vowed to work with regulators to block any such deal, arguing that past mergers in the media industry have "harmed workers, diminished competition and free speech, and wasted hundreds of billions of dollars."
While the California DOJ has not confirmed or denied any ongoing investigations, the spokesperson made it clear that the agency believes "further consolidation in markets that are central to American economic life" does not serve the best interests of the economy, consumers, or competition. This stance is likely to put significant pressure on Warner Bros. Discovery as it explores potential sale options, including offers from Paramount Global, Netflix, and Comcast.
