Iowa and Montana petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in the proposed $110 billion merger of Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount. The two states seek to halt an antitrust lawsuit filed by 12 other states to block the combination. California leads the opposing coalition.
Iowa and Montana argue the opposing states are overstepping their authority and harming the national economy. The U.S. Department of Justice has already approved the transaction. Dozens of international regulators also cleared the deal.
The opposing states contend the merger would unlawfully reduce competition. The lawsuit pauses the merger until at least June 2027.
The court set a trial for March 2027. It remains uncertain if the Supreme Court will agree to hear the petition.