Judge delays Paramount-Warner Bros. merger another two weeks

Paramount, meanwhile, argues that it needs to cross-examine witnesses for the state and is pushing for a three-day evidentiary at the end of August. The corporation says it’s willing to extend the restraining order if it needs to. The states say that the judge should rule for the injunction without the three-day hearing, arguing that the corporation is not giving the states adequate time to prepare for the hearing and thus bypass a trial. Per Variety, Judge Martinez-Olguin compelled the parties to come to an agreement, though that seems unlikely given that the argument here is basically: “This merger will destroy thousands of jobs and concentrate wealth even further into the hands of a privileged few vs. No it won’t.” Perhaps the corporation will make the good decision without extended legal discussion, but we shouldn’t hold our breath for that.