The deal can proceed without divestitures, behavioral remedies, or concessions, and the transaction is not expected to pose a threat to competition or American consumers. More than 5,500 people signed an open letter opposing the merger, citing reduced competition in entertainment, job losses, and higher prices. Signatories reportedly included Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, and Ben Stiller.
Legal scrutiny is not finished. The California Department of Justice is still investigating, and state attorneys general could still sue to block the deal despite the federal approval.
What the shift means for AEW remains unsettled until the merger closes and AEW's current WBD media rights deal runs through December 2027, or December 2028 if an extra year option is activated. AEW President Tony Khan is reportedly very optimistic about operating under a Paramount WBD umbrella. Khan is also said to have viewed Paramount as the more favorable bidder in the WBD sale over Netflix, which carries a WWE partnership that could have complicated AEW's position.
