Overview
- On Sept. 15, a federal court ordered a two-day settlement conference on Oct. 14–15 and required lead negotiators with full authority to attend under U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson.
- The state plaintiffs led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the Writers Guild of America say only structural remedies such as divestitures will resolve their antitrust concerns.
- Paramount has so far offered behavioral commitments, including a pledge to release at least 30 films with 45-day theatrical windows, rather than selling assets.
- Paramount has asked the court to require a roughly $1.88–$1.9 billion bond to cover delay costs and the U.S. government has urged that plaintiffs bear holdup expenses, with a bond hearing set for Sept. 24.
- A looming Oct. 1 ticking fee of about $7 million per day and company threats to move operations from California raise major local job and tax risks, and the case remains set for a March 2, 2027 trial if talks fail.