Warner Bros $111bn sale to Paramount approved by US Justice Department

Paramount Skydance’s $111bn (£828mn) acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery has been approved by the US Department of Justice.

The approval marks a key development in the merger that will reshape media, allowing a takeover of the Hollywood studio, which owns CNN and HBO, to continue.

The sale has been filled with contention, from Paramount’s battle with Netflix over the company to scrutiny over industry consolidation and worries about politics. David Ellison, the leader of Paramount, is the son of Larry Ellison, a donor to President Donald Trump.

But it’s not a done deal yet, as states like California are reviewing the sale and could sue to block it.

The BBC has contacted the justice department and its anti-trust division that approved the acquisition.

Rob Bonta, California’s Attorney General, said in late February that he was concerned any takeover of Warner Bros would further consolidate and limit competition in the entertainment industry.

Earlier this month, Bonta said he would soon decide on taking formal legal action to block the merger. His office did not respond Friday to a request for comment.

More than 1,400 Hollywood actors, directors and filmmakers in April signed an open letter opposing the merger.

“The result will be fewer opportunities for creators, fewer jobs across the production ecosystem, higher costs, and less choice for audiences in the United States and around the world,” the signatories said.