A US federal judge has approved a settlement between Paramount Skydance and twelve states, removing the final major legal obstacle to Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The states had expressed concerns that the merged entity would wield excessive market power, potentially leading to increased film and television prices. Worries were also raised regarding the impact of the merger on employment. Last week, Paramount reached an agreement committing to invest an additional $300 million annually in US film production for the next five years, alongside a minimum of thirty annual US theatrical film releases. Furthermore, an independent journalistic council will oversee news divisions CBS News and CNN within six months of the acquisition's completion. Ynon Kreiz, currently CEO of Mattel, will become co-CEO responsible for daily operations and integration, while David Ellison will remain Chairman and CEO. The over $110 billion deal is now expected to close early next week.