California, 11 other states sue to block Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros

An aerial view of the Paramount logo on the water tower at Paramount Studios on February 23, in Los Angeles, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Twelve states sued to block Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery on Monday, warning that the $81 billion mega merger would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood and threaten jobs across the industry.

The office of California’s attorney general, who is leading the coalition, said the states are asking Warner Bros. and Paramount to not close their merger “until after the judicial process concludes” -- and if they do not agree, the coalition will then be file a temporary restraining order.

“The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat in the U.S.,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

The Associated Press