1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support state-level action to block the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has already opened an investigation and stated the deal is "not done," and Colorado AG Phil Weiser has been outspoken about concerns. Multiple state attorneys general can challenge this merger using the Clayton Act, and they must act before the deal closes in April. Paramount is attempting to "speedrun" this merger within weeks, led by Makan Delrahim, former head of DOJ's Antitrust Division under Trump. They have delivered all necessary information to DOJ in advance, expecting quick federal clearance by April. This strategy deliberately limits the time states have to act. Once the deal closes, companies will have commingled assets and conducted layoffs, making it nearly impossible to untangle the merger. This consolidation poses serious threats to workers and consumers. It reduces five major studios to four, following Disney's Fox acquisition. Fewer studios directly weaken the bargaining power of producers, directors, and screenwriters, similar to concerns that led to blocking the 2022 Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House merger. The deal structure guarantees mass layoffs and reduced content output, threatening the viability of movie theaters that depend on sufficient content. Streaming consolidation will lead to higher prices for consumers. The merger would concentrate control of two major movie studios, CBS, HBO, and CNN under the Ellison family, creating dangerous media-political consolidation. The combined film library would give Paramount-Warner competitive advantages that harm independent creators and smaller competitors. The business logic is questionable at best. Paramount is making a $111 billion bet largely on cable television revival despite ongoing cord-cutting trends. The deal combines struggling cable networks including Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, TNT, TBS, and Discovery with massive debt. State attorneys general must file lawsuits before this deal closes. I urge you to support their efforts and ensure they have the resources needed to protect workers, consumers, and media diversity.