California AG Rob Bonta says a CNN spin-off wouldn’t resolve Paramount-WBD lawsuit

Lawyers for the 12-state coalition trying to block the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery deal argued in court on Friday that a temporary restraining order (TRO) is necessary to stop the companies from completing the merger. Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín also heard Paramount’s arguments against the TRO. As CNN reported earlier this week, the companies expect the judge to issue a TRO, effectively pausing the merger for a couple of weeks while the legal process plays out. Judge Martínez-Olguín ultimately declined to rule on Friday and said she will issue a ruling on a temporary restraining order by Wednesday, July 22. Ahead of Friday’s hearing, I spoke with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading the coalition of Democratic attorneys general against Paramount.