"People are very nervous," said one CNN staffer. "It's dark.
The deciding factor in California Attorney General Rob Bonta's decision to settle with Paramount and allow its purchase of WBD with minor concessions was political pressure.
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison just confirmed to employees that the company had settled the lawsuits that were holding up its deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.

Mark Ruffalo urged California Attorney General Rob Bonta not to cave on settlement talks over the $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

He's calling on Bay Area supporters to show up outside Bonta's office, claiming he was hearing the AG was “about to cave”
They're talking! Or are they? And what are they actually talking about? Does everyone need to chill out? Paramount and state Attorneys General are talking, we are told.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta claimed Thursday he has been winning his legal battle against Paramount's merger with WBD -- but said he is "open" to settlement talks if Paramount comes to the t

"Every Dem pol in the state wants a settlement and is worried that Ellison will leave. They also think his antitrust case is a joke.
Paramount reportedly came close to leaving this week, but backed down at the last minute.

A full relocation of Paramount's California operations could result in the permanent loss of between 28,990 and 57,980 full-time jobs statewide.
Paramount has pushed for a settlement in the case, which is the last hurdle to the deal along with a parallel lawsuit by the Writer's Guild of America.
An antitrust challenge by a group of state attorneys general has left Paramount CEO David Ellison hunting for avenues to get his deal for Warner Bros. Discovery done.
California AG Rob Bonta pulled the plug late Sunday after accusing Paramount of leaking and mischaracterizing details from a preliminary meeting.
Although Bonta's statement didn't specify what leaks he was talking about, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday night that Bonta was expected to ask Paramount to divest some cable networks and m

Paramount and California officials are expected to hold talks as a 12-state antitrust lawsuit keeps the $110B Warner Bros. Discovery transaction on hold.

Paramount accused actor Mark Ruffalo of using "antisemitic tropes" in a social media rant against the company's $110B Warner Bros merger.
As an antitrust battle threatens his Hollywood empire, Paramount boss David Ellison is eyeing a new base in Austin, Texas, The Post has learned.
Cinemark on Tuesday became the latest major theater operator to toss its hat in the ring, after AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas previously backed the $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merge
Paramount wants to require the posting of the bond so they can recover losses if a court approves the merger and said the states have “ample resources to post” even a large bond.
“While we remain confident that the law and the facts are on our side, we have offered commitments and concessions and remain open to working constructively with the State AGs to find a path forward i