Paramount hits legal speed bump in Delaware as it presses WBD, while Paramount+ price hike takes effect

Paramount entered Friday on two fronts: a courtroom fight over access to merger details at a rival studio and a streaming price update that lands on consumer wallets. A Delaware Chancery Court judge declined to fast-track Paramount’s lawsuit seeking more disclosure from Warner Bros. Discovery about its proposed deal with Netflix, even as Paramount signals it may extend its own tender offer and prepare a proxy push. On the consumer side, Paramount+ prices just moved up across key tiers.

Delaware ruling slows Paramount’s disclosure push

Paramount had asked the court to expedite its case compelling additional information from Warner Bros. Discovery around the structure and valuation of businesses tied to WBD’s proposed merger with Netflix. The judge rejected the request for speed, finding no irreparable harm that would justify compressing the timeline. Practically, that means Paramount won’t get a lightning-quick window into WBD’s internal analysis before near-term bid milestones.

Paramount’s stated goal is to assess how WBD’s contemplated split and asset packaging could impact value—data it argues shareholders deserve as competing suitors circle. With the expedited path off the table, the company is expected to pursue other avenues: extending its tender offer beyond the current deadline, escalating a proxy campaign for board seats, and continuing standard discovery rather than a crash-course sprint.

What Paramount may do next

• Extend the tender offer: Pushing the expiration buys time to pressure for disclosures and track any changes in the competing Netflix proposal.

• Ready a proxy slate: A board fight would aim to force greater transparency and potentially shift WBD’s posture ahead of any shareholder vote on a Netflix deal.

• Litigate on a normal track: Without expedition, motions and discovery unfold at a more measured pace, avoiding the “act now or miss it” clock.

The legal skirmish doesn’t decide who buys what—it sets the tempo. For investors watching the three-way chessboard, the cadence matters: slower court calendars can blunt immediate leverage while still preserving strategic options.

Paramount+ price changes you’ll notice this month

Separate from corporate dealmaking, Paramount’s streaming service implemented a price increase that took effect this week.

New monthly rates (US):

• Paramount+ Essential (with ads): $8 → $9

• Paramount+ Premium (ad-free, includes Showtime content and ad-supported CBS live): $13 → $14

Annual plans: Expect roughly the same $1-per-month equivalent increase when billed yearly. Existing subscribers typically see the new rate on the next billing cycle after the effective date.

How to fine-tune your bill

• Downgrade or switch to annual: In-app or web account settings allow plan changes before the next renewal; annual billing often nets a small discount.

• Trim add-ons: Review channel bundles and legacy add-ons that may no longer be used.

• Student and bundle checks: If you’re eligible for discounted tiers or carrier bundles, re-verify—some partners adjust pricing on a delay.

Why the courtroom and the app both matter for “Paramount”

From a brand and balance-sheet perspective, these stories connect. Streaming ARPU (average revenue per user) is a lever management can pull immediately, while transformative M&A depends on months of legal and regulatory steps. A $1 monthly move across millions of subscribers compounds quickly, helping offset content and sports rights inflation. Meanwhile, the outcome of WBD’s strategic path—and Paramount’s role in it—will influence the long-term competitive map: who controls premium libraries, where live sports and news land, and how many scaled platforms survive.

What to watch in the coming days

• Tender-offer timing: If Paramount extends, look for a revised expiration date and any updated conditions.

• Proxy signals: Hiring advisors, nominating directors, and bylaw proposals are telltale signs of an imminent boardroom campaign.

• Netflix-WBD contours: Any shift in consideration (for example, moving toward more cash) could alter relative attractiveness and regulatory complexity.

• Subscriber sentiment: Churn and sign-up promos often follow price bumps; watch for targeted discounts around new releases or live events.

Paramount didn’t get the fast-track it wanted in Delaware, but the larger contest continues on multiple fronts: legal, financial, and product. As the merger chess stretches into a longer game, the company is using the tools it controls today—like Paramount+ pricing—to steady near-term revenue while it fights for advantage in the next big round of industry consolidation.