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BusinessActive · 32h

CNN Staffers Fear "Bloodbath" as Paramount-WBD Merger Nears Close

With Ellison's $81 billion takeover almost final, CNN insiders say leadership has told them nothing about who runs the network or how deep cuts will go.

newest coverage 12h agosummary written 10h ago5 pieces720 likes & upvotes136 comments NewswiresX

What to know

  • Paramount's settlement with CA AG Rob Bonta clears a path to close the ~$81 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal, which management has said could yield at least $6 billion in cost savings — implying thousands of job cuts.
  • CNN staffers say there has been "a complete absence of information" about who will lead the network once David Ellison takes over, with CEO Mark Thompson set to hold a staff town hall.
  • Insiders cite Bari Weiss's shake-up of CBS News — including firing Scott Pelley and other correspondents at '60 Minutes' — and record-low ratings there as a warning sign for CNN.
  • An independent editorial board promised to antitrust regulators as a merger condition is dismissed by CNN sources as unenforceable.

David Ellison Paramount CEOMark Thompson CNN chief executiveBari Weiss CBS News editor-in-chief under ParamountRob BontaRob Bonta California Attorney GeneralScott Pelley Former '60 Minutes' correspondent

CNN Staffers Fear "Bloodbath" as Paramount-WBD Merger Nears Close
breitbart.com

How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

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4 PMyesterday8 AM4 PMnow · 12:58 AM ET
  1. 3

    Mark Thompson set to hold staff town hall on merger

    CNN boss Mark Thompson is scheduled to address staff about the merger, though insiders say little clarity is expected on the new leadership structure until Ellison formally closes the deal.

  2. 2

    Social media mocks CNN over reported staff panic

    A viral X post reacting to the coverage drew over 700 likes and more than 130 comments, with the poster joking that layoffs might force CNN to "report the truth" and naming anchor Kaitlan Collins.

    “How awful for them! They may be forced to actually report the truth now! How will they ever cope? I hope Kaitlan Collins is one of the 1st to go.”
    — @RYboating
  3. 1

    CNN staffers describe panic over impending layoffs

    The New York Post reports CNN employees are bracing for mass cuts once Ellison closes the deal, with staffers and a TV executive describing a looming "bloodbath" and comparing the mood to waiting out a hurricane.

    “Bloodbath coming, including at CNN. That's the next big step — slashing and burning.”
    — TV executive
  4. background

    Paramount settles antitrust suit with California AG Bonta — Paramount reached a settlement with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 11 other state AGs, clearing a path for the merged company to operate CNN, CBS News, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., HBO Max and Paramount+.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 3 outlets CNN staffers panic over Paramount merger as layoffs loom in months ahead: ‘Bloodbath coming’

    first by New York Post, 12h ago · also Breitbart, NY Post

    1 more headline