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Support from Trump administration adds new twist in blockbuster battle with Netflix.
Paramount Skydance's $108bn bid to gatecrash Netflix's deal for Warner Bros Discovery has cleared a key antitrust hurdle, in a signal of support from the Trump administration.
The media group, whose bid is bankrolled by Oracle billionaire and Donald Trump donor Larry Ellison, said on Friday that its deal had complied with the US Department of Justice's second request review process, removing a critical impediment to US regulatory approval.
Paramount's deal could still be blocked, but by allowing the 10-day statutory HSR waiting period to elapse under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act's second request process, the DoJ is clearing the path for Paramount's deal on antitrust grounds.
The swift antitrust clearance will probably be seen in the industry as a signal of support from the White House. It comes as allies of the president expand their sway across the US media landscape.
Layout Features Added For This Demo
- Inline defined terms with hover definitions anchored near the reader's pointer.
- A floating pull-quote to test long-form rhythm and side emphasis.
- A compact regulatory table for analytical reading, not just narrative flow.
Regulatory Snapshot (UI Test Table)
| Bidder | Reported Deal Value | US Review Signal | Open Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount Skydance | $108bn | HSR second-request waiting period expired | Potential later litigation / foreign review |
| Netflix | $83bn | Early-stage DOJ review | Potential competition challenge |
Analytical Terms (Definition Demo)
For merger analysis, reviewers often monitor the HHI, evaluate whether vertical integration changes bargaining power, and compare behavioral remedies with a structural remedy.
Both companies have been jostling to win the favour of Trump. Paramount's chief executive David Ellison met the US president earlier this month, according to people familiar with the matter. Netflix's co-chief executive said on a podcast appearance this week that Trump was personally concerned about the impact of the Netflix deal on jobs in California.
Paramount's proposed deal has drawn scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers. Senators including Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin on Thursday sent Ellison a letter requesting Paramount preserve all records linked to the deal, after the company's chief declined to testify before Congress while Netflix and Warner executives were in attendance.
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