David Ellison threatens to relocate Paramount from California over merger lawsuit

David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount, has threatened to move the company out of California. He told senior leaders last week that the move could begin on October 1. The threat applies to Warner Bros. Discovery too, if the two companies complete their planned merger. Ellison wants California's attorney general, Rob Bonta, to agree to settlement talks. Twelve state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit to block the merger. They say it would give the combined company too much control over cinemas and cable television. The Writers Guild of America has also sued, arguing the deal would hurt writers. The Paramount Skydance board has approved the relocation plan.