A district court judge granted 12 state attorneys general a temporary restraining order to halt the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros.

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

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.

California and eleven states secured a pause on Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. They argued the massive media merger would harm competition and raise prices. …

A federal judge on Monday ordered Paramount and Warner Bros