UK clears Paramount's $81 billion Warner Bros. Discovery takeover

British regulators on Thursday approved Paramount's $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing legally-binding commitments to protect UK broadcasting diversity and editorial independence. The clearance removes a major hurdle, though the deal faces a U.S. antitrust trial in March after 12 states sued to block it. Paramount, acquired by Skydance last year, called the UK decision an important milestone.