Additional Coverage:
- CNN staffers see Paramount merger as ‘inevitable’ despite legal battle delaying Ellison takeover (foxnews.com)
A recent delay in the highly anticipated Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, which would place CNN under the control of David Ellison, has done little to ease concerns within the struggling network.
According to a CNN insider speaking to Fox News Digital, the general sentiment among employees is that the merger is “inevitable.” The delay has not improved morale, with many viewing the situation as “a matter of bad or worse” given the network’s current challenges.
Ellison’s Paramount is aiming to create a media powerhouse by acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery in a $111 billion deal.
While both the European Union and the U.S. Department of Justice have approved the merger, the process has hit a legal roadblock due to an antitrust lawsuit led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Last week, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the merger until at least August 17, prompting Paramount to agree to delay the deal until next year while the lawsuit plays out in court.
Inside CNN, some staffers are uneasy about the network’s potential direction under Ellison’s leadership, while others are worried about their job security. A longtime employee expressed frustration with the ongoing speculation, saying many simply want the uncertainty to end.
The network has experienced a revolving door of leadership in recent years. Jeff Zucker, who served as CEO from 2013 to early 2022, steered CNN toward an adversarial stance against former President Donald Trump during his first term.
After Zucker’s departure amid a workplace scandal, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav appointed Chris Licht-formerly a top producer at MSNBC and CBS and executive producer of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”-as Zucker’s replacement.
Licht initially sought to shift away from the left-leaning tone that marked Zucker’s tenure but struggled to gain staff trust, many of whom remained loyal to Zucker’s hands-on leadership style. Tensions peaked in 2023 when Licht invited Trump to a CNN town hall, sparking backlash from employees and viewers.
Prominent CNN figures publicly criticized Licht, and Anderson Cooper acknowledged viewers’ potential disappointment. Licht’s tenure ended after an unflattering profile revealed he had encouraged Trump to “have fun” before the event.
Mark Thompson, CNN’s current CEO and a veteran leader with experience at The New York Times and BBC, replaced Licht. However, Thompson’s future remains uncertain, particularly amid reports that he refuses to share CNN’s oversight with another executive. This comes amid rumors that Bari Weiss, David Ellison’s handpicked editor-in-chief of CBS News, could take on a significant oversight role at CNN once the merger is complete.
While Thompson has avoided the internal strife seen under Licht, the network continues to grapple with declining ratings, a confusing digital strategy, and persistent merger rumors-factors contributing to ongoing anxiety among staff.
Ellison’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery would come a year after his company took over CBS News, where Weiss has faced similar challenges winning staff trust and has been accused of steering coverage to appear less partisan, upsetting some liberal viewers. CNN employees worry about a comparable future if Weiss and Ellison gain control, despite Ellison’s assurances of maintaining editorial independence.
Reports suggest Ellison and his team are considering placing Weiss in charge of CNN, potentially paired with a seasoned executive to manage the network’s technical and financial operations. This scenario could create an awkward dynamic with veteran anchor Anderson Cooper, who reportedly does not want to work under Weiss. CNN contributor Kara Swisher has also threatened to leave if Ellison takes over, criticizing his chosen team as “incompetent.”
Within the network, executive Amy Entelis has become a confidante for anxious anchors and correspondents concerned about the merger’s impact. Notably, CNN’s international correspondent Clarissa Ward declined a long-term contract extension, opting instead for a one-year deal to reassess the situation post-merger.
If the merger proceeds, Weiss may be tasked with completing changes that Licht could not, but it remains unclear whether CNN’s staff will accept new leadership. CNN declined to comment on internal concerns about employee loyalty toward incoming executives.
Paramount defended the merger as lawful and beneficial to consumers, creators, workers, and the entertainment industry, pledging to vigorously defend the transaction in upcoming legal hearings. Meanwhile, the future of CNN under the shadow of the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger remains uncertain, with many within the network bracing for significant change.