“The Court is persuaded that it can presume the proposed merger is likely to violate antitrust laws,” wrote Judge Martínez-Olguín.

Paramount's owners were hoping they'd be firmly in control of rival Warner Bros. Discovery by the end of this week. Monday's temporary restraining order puts that plan on hold.

Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín determined the merger likely violated antitrust laws.

A federal judge on Monday ordered Paramount and Warner Bros