The investigation is a safeguard against “a power grab” that is attempting to reshape the media landscape for U.K. audiences.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority has launched a Phase I investigation into the pending Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger following a comment filed with the CMA by Democracy Defenders Fund.

DDF’s in-depth submission highlighted the damage the merger would cause to independent journalism and the entertainment industry in the U.K., mirroring concerns being raised in the U.S. by a growing opposition coalition. The CMA’s investigation into the merger is a step towards protecting the United Kingdom’s free press, its creative industry, and the work of the entertainment industry around the globe.

“The CMA’s decision to formally investigate this dangerous merger marks another step towards blocking a transaction that would harm free press and the entertainment industry in the U.K. and beyond,” said Norm Eisen, co-founder and executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund. “Our call for the CMA to launch an investigation made it clear: the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger is a power grab that will lead to a more expensive, less diverse, and more concentrated international media environment. We applaud the decision by the U.K. and encourage the CMA to refer the investigation to a Phase 2 review–and to consider blocking the merger.”

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Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.