Warner Bros shareholders approve Paramount's $111bn takeover

Shareholders of Warner Bros Discovery have given the green light for a $111 billion acquisition by Paramount, which will combine significant media properties such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, CNN, HBO Max, Food Network, Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon, CBS, and Comedy Central. This initiative, championed by tech mogul Larry Ellison and his son David, still awaits clearance from the US Department of Justice and European competition authorities, with Paramount aiming for completion by September. The merger comes after Netflix's competing offer was retracted. Over 1,400 industry professionals, including Emma Thompson, Ben Stiller, and Javier Bardem, have voiced concerns about potential job losses and increased expenses. Senator Elizabeth Warren labeled it an antitrust catastrophe. Protests are set to occur outside a dinner hosted by David Ellison featuring Trump, who has previously suggested CNN's sale. Market analyst Mike Proulx anticipates US approval but warns that European regulations could influence the timeline and conditions.