Paramount Skydance Keeps Mark Thompson at CNN as $110 Billion Deal Puts It With CBS News
Updated
Updated · Business Insider · Oct 5
Paramount Skydance Keeps Mark Thompson at CNN as $110 Billion Deal Puts It With CBS News
3 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Oct 5
Summary
Thompson told CNN staff he will stay on as chairman and editor-in-chief when Paramount Skydance closes its Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition on Tuesday.
David Ellison's decision keeps CNN's current leadership in place as the merger brings CNN and CBS News under one corporate roof, though Thompson said operating details are still being finalized.
Thompson said Skydance backs CNN's digital strategy and independent journalism, addressing staff concerns that Ellison and his father Larry Ellison could push coverage in a more Trump-friendly direction.
An antitrust settlement with 12 states requires Paramount to create an independent editorial board overseeing principles at CNN and CBS News, reporting to the combined company's board through its chief compliance officer.
Ellison has floated a larger "scaled news service" without specifics, while Thompson previously cautioned staff not to assume CNN would be merged with CBS News.