Paramount says US antitrust waiting period for WBD bid has ended
Media reports indicate that the US antitrust review period for Paramount’s $108.4 billion offer for Warner Bros Discovery concluded on 19 February
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Published: Feb 21, 2026 8:42 AM | 1 min read
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According to the latest media reports, Paramount said the US antitrust waiting period for its proposed $108.4 billion all-cash offer for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) ended on 19 February, clearing an initial procedural step in its pursuit of the HBO Max owner.
The company noted that the expiry of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act removes any automatic legal barrier to completing the deal in the United States. However, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) can continue reviewing the transaction, seek further details or take legal action to block it before closing.
In 2023, the DOJ moved to stop the proposed JetBlue-Sprint merger months after the waiting period had passed.
Paramount has yet to secure a definitive agreement with WBD. Meanwhile, Netflix has agreed a separate deal to acquire the company’s studio and streaming assets for $27.75 per share, valuing the transaction at $82.7 billion.
Netflix’s Chief Legal Officer, David Hyman, criticised Paramount’s efforts, saying the company had not obtained the approvals required to complete a deal and remained far from doing so.
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