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The U.K. has cleared Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. on both competition and public interest grounds after Paramount beefed up promises about programming and news provision in the country.
In a statement, the U.K.’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport said, “Today, the Competition and Markets Authority have announced their decision that there are no competition aspects of this proposed merger in the U.K. which necessitate their further intervention.”
Among the areas that the CMA looked at were theatrical film distribution, linear children’s TV channels and the supply of subscription VOD services.
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The DCMS added that Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, had decided “not to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice on the basis that the assurances and further legally-binding commitments she has secured at this point from Paramount provide a set of protections that will help safeguard the continued availability of a diverse range of broadcasting and on-demand services in the U.K.; the continuation of their distinct editorial identities; and, the distinct editorial identities of key U.K. news programs.”
The U.K. government received the following assurances from Paramount:
Media and streaming services: “Paramount set out clear intentions not to consolidate the Combined Group’s linear channels with its on-demand services in the U.K., and Paramount has made a commitment that they shall retain their distinct editorial identity.”
Children’s programming: “Paramount has promised that its children’s channels, including Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, shall remain editorially distinct and continue to commission and acquire original U.K. children’s content.”
News plurality and editorial independence: “Paramount has promised to ensure that Channel 5 News maintains its editorial independence, that its editorial direction shall remain entirely separate from CBS News and CNN International, and that CNN International will continue to be available in the U.K. In addition, it has given assurances that the provider of Channel 5 News will continue to have editorial control and independence over news programming and that bona fide licensees will enjoy continued access to the CNN, CBS News and Channel 5 news archives on standard commercial terms.”
Channel 5 and U.K. investment: “Paramount has committed that Channel 5 will continue to operate as a Public Service Broadcaster fulfilling its PSB license obligations. Channel 5’s commissioning strategy will remain focused on the U.K., with Paramount committing more funding to support high-quality news, original children’s programming and drama.”
Reacting to the U.K. decision, Paramount placed it in the context of its antitrust showdown in March 2027 against California attorney general Rob Bonta and his coalition of 11 other state AGs. “These conclusions further demonstrate the misguided and gerrymandered market definitions relied upon by the U.S. state AGs in their antitrust complaint in California,” a Paramount spokesperson said.
