欧盟反垄断监管机构已批准派拉蒙对华纳兄弟探索公司的收购案[1][2]。交易金额为810亿美元[1]，或按英镑计为80亿英镑[2]，加上债务后总价值约111亿美元[1]。
欧盟批准附带重要条件。派拉蒙必须在13个月内退出其与环球影业在欧洲经济区的电影发行合资企业United International Pictures[1][2]，并在10年内不得与环球影业或迪士尼联合发行电影[2]。欧盟指出，电影院发行市场存在高度集中风险，可能导致"更坏的租赁和发行条款，最终损害消费者"[1]。
该批准清除了并购案的一项主要监管障碍，但交易仍面临多重挑战。美国联邦法官已下令公司暂停交易至少两周，并定于8月3日举行初步禁令听证会[1][2]。加州领导的12个州联盟已对该并购提起诉讼[1][2]，美国还存在作家工会的诉讼[2]。英国文化部长Lisa Nandy表示英国可能对该交易进行干预[2]。
派拉蒙已从澳大利亚、中国和加拿大获得监管批准[1]。根据交易条款，若收购未在9月30日前完成，派拉蒙需向华纳股东支付日均约700万美元[1]或每天约500万英镑[2]的延期补偿。派拉蒙于2月与华纳兄弟签署交易协议，击败Netflix的竞标[2]。
The European Commission has approved Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the deal valued at $81 billion, or £80 billion.[1][2] The conditional approval requires Paramount to exit its European film distribution joint venture with Universal Pictures within 13 months and prohibits the combined company from entering into new co-distribution agreements with Universal or Disney for the next decade.[1][2]
The EU's decision addresses competition concerns about the concentration of theatrical film distribution in Europe. The Commission warned that the deal could result in "worse rental and distribution terms, ultimately harming consumers," prompting the remedies designed to preserve competition in the sector.[1]
Despite the European green light, the transaction faces substantial obstacles in the United States. A federal judge ordered the companies to halt the deal for at least two weeks, with a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for August 3.[1] California and 11 other states have sued to block the merger, challenging its competitive implications.[1]
Paramount has also committed to paying Warner shareholders approximately $7 million daily in "ticking fees" if the transaction fails to close by September 30.[1] Including debt, the total acquisition value reaches approximately $111 billion.[1]
The company has already obtained regulatory approval from Australia, China, and Canada.[1] The United Kingdom is considering whether to intervene in the deal, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy signaling potential government involvement.[2]