UNIC Says EU's $111 Billion Paramount-WBD Merger Remedies Fall Short
Updated
Updated · Deadline · Jul 23
UNIC Says EU's $111 Billion Paramount-WBD Merger Remedies Fall Short
3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Jul 23
Summary
UNIC, which represents cinemas in 39 European territories, said the European Commission’s conditions for approving Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery were too narrow and should have gone further.
The EU cleared the $111 billion deal after requiring Paramount to divest its stake in United International Pictures and accept 10-year limits on certain co-distribution and distributor-switching arrangements with Universal across 19 EEA countries.
UNIC said those remedies ignore similar risks outside UIP territories and fail to address theatrical windows, film diversity, production pipelines, contractual practices and access to back catalogues.
Laura Houlgatte also criticized the lack of a broader review of media pluralism and cultural diversity, while noting the merger still faces U.S. legal challenges that could have consequences for Europe.