Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Faces Delays and Internal Concerns at CNN

The anticipated merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which would bring CNN under David Ellison’s control, faces delays but has not eased concerns at CNN. According to a CNN insider, most employees believe the merger is inevitable and feel the delay provides little relief. “No change in morale,” stated the insider, noting that employees feel the situation is grim.

Paramount, led by Ellison, seeks to create a significant media empire by acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery for $111 billion. The merger has received approvals from both the European Union and the U.S. Justice Department. However, it faces an antitrust lawsuit from California Attorney General Rob Bonta. A federal judge has issued a Temporary Restraining Order, halting the merger until at least August 17. Paramount agreed to postpone finalizing the deal until next year to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

Should the merger succeed, Paramount Skydance Chairman & CEO David Ellison would oversee both CBS News and CNN. Concerns among CNN staff include worries about the network’s future direction and job security. A longtime employee expressed fatigue over continuous speculation, stating, “I’ve been through multiple CEOs. I’ve seen little change based on leadership.”

CNN has experienced frequent changes in management in recent years. Jeff Zucker, former CEO from 2013 to early 2022, gave the network an adversarial stance against former President Donald Trump. His departure after a workplace controversy led to David Zaslav appointing Chris Licht as Zucker’s successor. Licht, known for his prior work at MSNBC and CBS, aimed to reduce left-leaning content that thrived during Zucker’s tenure. However, Licht faced skepticism from CNN employees loyal to Zucker.

Tensions escalated in 2023 when Licht hosted Trump for a CNN town hall. The decision angered employees, including Christiane Amanpour and former media reporter Oliver Darcy. Anderson Cooper told viewers he understood if they chose to leave CNN.

Zaslav eventually replaced Licht with Mark Thompson, former leader at The New York Times and BBC. Despite Thompson’s effective leadership history, CNN’s future remains uncertain due to the looming Paramount acquisition.

Recent reports suggest Thompson insisted he would not share CNN oversight, potentially conflicting with rumored new leadership roles. Paramount has stated the merger is legal and will benefit multiple stakeholders. However, concerns persist within CNN, especially related to Ellison and his management team.

If Ellison assumes control, CNN may see changes similar to those at CBS News, where editorial adjustments by Bari Weiss have met resistance. Critics believe these changes cater to Trump’s administration. CNN staff worry about potential parallels if Weiss and Ellison take charge.

The New York Times indicated that Ellison might consider placing Weiss in charge of CNN, potentially alongside an experienced TV executive. Anderson Cooper, a prominent CNN figure, reportedly prefers not to work with Weiss.

Amid reports and internal challenges, staff members grapple with uncertainty about the network’s future post-merger. Clarissa Ward, an international correspondent, signed a short-term contract to evaluate the post-merger environment.

Despite concerns, Paramount remains committed to defending the merger against legal challenges, hoping it can ultimately enrich the media landscape.