Los Angeles, July 20 -- A federal judge has temporarily paused Paramount Skydance Corp.'s USD 110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.

Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin on Monday granted a 14-day restraining order after hearing argument from both sides on Friday morning. Paramount had previously agreed not to close the transaction before July 22, as per Variety.

"Plaintiff States' showing at least demonstrates that serious questions going to the merits remain, weighing in favor of preliminary injunctive relief," the judge wrote, adding that Paramount has acknowledged it will not be harmed by the delay until the end of September. "Paramount and Warner Bros. will continue to operate as separate, viable companies competing in the ma...