Attorney General Rob Bonta signed the agreement that authorizes the $111 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros., ending a period of intense scrutiny by state officials. The approval came on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, after state leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, applied considerable pressure to move the transaction forward.
The deal, which unites two major entertainment companies, required state regulatory clearance before it could be finalized. Bonta’s signature removed the final legal barrier, allowing the combination to proceed under California law. While the governor and other Democratic leaders publicly supported the merger, several Democratic state attorneys general expressed dissent, arguing that the agreement warranted further review.
The dissenting attorneys general voiced concerns about the scale of the transaction and its potential impact on competition, though they did not block the approval. Their opposition highlighted a split within the party’s legal ranks over how aggressively to endorse large corporate consolidations. Nonetheless, Bonta’s decision aligned with the administration’s broader agenda to facilitate major business deals that promise economic activity in the state.
With the regulatory hurdle cleared, Paramount and Warner Bros. are positioned to integrate their operations as planned. The approval underscores the influence of state executives in shaping high‑value mergers, even when faced with internal disagreement among Democratic officials.