A planned merger of HBO Max and Paramount+ may not proceed after a federal judge imposed a temporary restraining order. The deal, announced in March after Netflix dropped out of bidding for Warner Bros Discovery, would see Paramount acquire Warner Bros Discovery and integrate the two streaming platforms.

Paramount CEO David Ellison said the HBO brand would remain intact, likely as a sub-brand within the combined service. However, a coalition of 12 state attorneys general opposed the merger, arguing it would reduce competition and raise prices.

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the Northern District of California granted a restraining order barring Paramount from closing the transaction for 14 days while arguments are heard. The merger would unite two movie studios, two streaming platforms, and two news organizations under Ellison, son of billionaire Larry Ellison.

Even if Paramount prevails, the deal faces reviews from the European Union and UK government. The Writers Guild of America has also filed an antitrust lawsuit, claiming the merger would result in fewer jobs and lower pay.