The pending merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which would position David Ellison at the helm of CNN, has encountered a delay. This postponement has left anxiety levels high within CNN. A knowledgeable source at the network shared with Fox News Digital that the merger appears unavoidable, with the delay doing little to alleviate worries among the staff, who have recently experienced various leadership changes.
“There’s no improvement in morale,” the insider stated. “People perceive the situation as either bad or worse.” Paramount endeavors to broaden its media influence by buying Warner Bros. Discovery for $111 billion. Both the European Union and the U.S. Department of Justice have approved the deal. However, a California-led antitrust lawsuit serves as the final obstacle.
A federal judge issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) last week, temporarily preventing the deal’s closure at least until August 17. As a result, Paramount agreed to delay the completion of the deal until the following year, allowing the lawsuit to unfold in court proceedings.
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If the merger proceeds, David Ellison would manage both CBS News and CNN. Some staff members are worried about the network’s future direction under him, while others are more concerned about job security. Another long-time CNN employee highlighted the fatigue from ongoing speculation, noting that they’ve witnessed multiple CEO changes with minimal impact from those shifts.
CNN has had several changes in leadership over recent years. Jeff Zucker, CEO from 2013 to early 2022, adjusted the network’s stance towards President Donald Trump, especially during Trump’s initial term. After Zucker’s departure due to undisclosed personal matters, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav appointed Chris Licht, a former producer for MSNBC and CBS, to take over.
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Initially, Licht intended to reduce the overtly leftist programming that characterized the Zucker era. However, winning the confidence of the dedicated CNN staff, loyal to Zucker’s hands-on leadership, proved tough. Discontent erupted in 2023 when Licht invited Trump for a CNN town hall, sparking outrage among staff and viewers. The situation intensified after Licht was seen as too accommodating to Trump. Ultimately, Zaslav dismissed Licht, replacing him with Mark Thompson, known for his effective leadership roles at The New York Times and the BBC.
Despite this, Thompson’s position remains uncertain with the impending Paramount takeover. Reports suggest Thompson insists on complete oversight of CNN, opposing suggestions of sharing leadership with another executive like Bari Weiss, CBS News’s editor-in-chief under Ellison. While Thompson has not induced conflict like Licht, declining ratings and continuous merger rumors contribute to employee unease.
“For many, things have never been the same since Jeff Zucker left,” remarked a second insider. Should Ellison proceed with acquiring CNN, it would echo similar challenges faced when CBS News came under his control. There, Weiss struggled to gain trust, prompting critics to suggest a bias toward Trump.
Ellison’s leadership at CNN, potential changes under Weiss, and the reactions from key figures like Anderson Cooper and Kara Swisher illustrate the apprehension among staff. Cooper reportedly refuses to work with Weiss, while other employees voice strong concerns about potential leadership under her. As the deal’s legality remains contested by California’s Attorney General, Paramount stands firm, defending the merger’s legality and intent to benefit stakeholders across the entertainment sector.
Paramount reaffirmed in a statement that the merger adheres to laws, promotes competition, and offers advantages to consumers, creators, and workers. The company commits to defending the merger and anticipates the upcoming discussions in court.