Paramount Global controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Judge approves Paramount's settlement in lawsuit blocking Warner Bros. Discovery merger
Ruling
According to Reuters, on September 30, 2026, a judge approved Paramount's recently announced settlement in a lawsuit with several states. Those states had been blocking Paramount's $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The approval of the settlement marked a development in the litigation concerning the proposed merger.
Source excerpt
Today, a judge also approved Paramount’s recently-announced settlement in a lawsuit with several states that had been blocking the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, according to Reuters
2026
Writer sues Taylor Sheridan and studios over Yellowstone idea
Lawsuit filed
TV writer Lauren J. Salkin filed a lawsuit claiming Taylor Sheridan stole her idea for the series Yellowstone, naming Sheridan, his management company Elevate Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Paramount and others as defendants. She alleges she pitched a series titled Sovereign Nation to Sheridan's representatives between late 2016 and early 2017, and that it was declined on February 1, 2017, while Paramount greenlit Yellowstone within a month.
Source excerpt
Salkin has claimed she presented a pilot, concept, storylines and a pitch deck for a TV series, Sovereign Nation, to Sheridan's reps at Elevate sometime between late 2016 and early 2017.
It's alleged that Paramount greenlit Yellowstone "within month," while she pointed to several examples - including story mechanisms, character functions and plot devices - to suggest there are many parallels between the ideas.
Taylor Sheridan, the mind behind Yellowstone, is being sued by a TV writer claiming he stole her idea for the hit show.
2020
Hollywood Weekly Magazine sues Netflix over Tiger King name
Lawsuit filed
Hollywood Weekly Magazine filed a lawsuit against Netflix and other companies, claiming trademark and copyright infringement, unfair business practices and unjust enrichment over the Tiger King name. The magazine says it coined the nickname and seeks damages and other relief.
Source excerpt
HWM has filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant and CBS Studios, Paramount and Imagine Television for claims including trademark and copyright infringement, unfair business practices and unjust enrichment.
The US magazine claims it coined the nickname Tiger King in reference to Joe Maldonado-Passage, the eccentric big-cat zoo owner who is the docuseries’ protagonist, and therefore owns the trademark rights to the name.
2018
Les Moonves sexual-misconduct allegations
CBS Corporation chief executive Les Moonves left the company after multiple women accused him of sexual assault and other misconduct. The matter generated investigations, governance disputes, and a settlement that delayed renewed merger proposals between CBS and Viacom.