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Paramount Skydance chief executive David Ellison has promised that CNN will maintain editorial independence even as his company moves closer to acquiring Warner Bros Discovery in a massive deal reportedly valued at $111 billion. The potential acquisition has sparked concern inside CNN about the network’s future direction, especially among staff members who fear that new leadership could shift its editorial stance.
Those concerns intensified after Ellison recently installed journalist and Free Press founder Bari Weiss as head of CBS News following Paramount’s acquisition of her media company. Weiss has frequently criticized what she describes as “woke” tendencies in mainstream journalism, and her appointment created turbulence within CBS News. Some media observers believe she could also play a role in overseeing CNN once the Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery transaction is finalized.
Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Ellison addressed the concerns directly when asked whether his company’s ownership might lead CNN to become more sympathetic to conservative politics or even evolve into something resembling Fox News. The question reflected a broader perception among critics and employees that Paramount Skydance, which some view as friendly toward former President Donald Trump, might influence the network’s editorial approach.
Ellison pushed back against those fears and emphasized that journalistic independence would remain a core principle. He stated that editorial independence is already being maintained at CBS News and would also be preserved at CNN. According to Ellison, the company wants its news brands to appeal to a broad audience rather than a narrow political segment.
He explained that Paramount Skydance aims to reach the large portion of Americans who identify somewhere between the political left and right. Ellison described this audience as roughly 70 percent of the population and said the company wants its news outlets to operate in what he called the truth business and the trust business. In his view, maintaining credibility with that middle audience is essential for the long term strength of major news brands.
Ellison also praised CNN’s existing reputation and staff, calling it an incredible brand supported by talented journalists. He said Paramount Skydance intends to support those journalists rather than interfere with their work. His comments were meant to reassure employees and viewers that the network’s editorial structure would not be reshaped by political pressure.
Another priority for the company will be expanding CNN’s presence on streaming platforms. Ellison said the future of news consumption involves giving viewers multiple ways to access content whether through traditional broadcast television, cable channels, or digital streaming services. Paramount Skydance plans to invest further in developing streaming options so audiences can watch CNN and CBS News wherever they prefer.
CNN has already begun moving in that direction. The network launched a streaming subscription service called All Access last fall priced at 6.99 dollars per month. The move came after the earlier CNN Plus streaming service was abruptly shut down in 2022 less than a month after its debut following Discovery’s purchase of WarnerMedia from AT and T.
Despite Ellison’s assurances, skepticism remains within parts of CNN’s newsroom. Some journalists worry that leadership changes similar to those seen at CBS News could eventually affect editorial priorities. At CBS, Weiss’s leadership has reportedly created tension within the organization and sparked debate about how stories are selected and presented.
The impact has been felt even within the prestigious news program 60 Minutes, one of CBS’s most recognized journalistic properties. Weiss has expressed interest in prioritizing digital audiences, although the program continues to draw strong television ratings and advertising revenue. Reports of internal friction have also surfaced, and longtime correspondent Anderson Cooper recently announced he would step down from his role at 60 Minutes after two decades.
As the Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery deal moves forward, the future direction of CNN remains a closely watched issue. Ellison’s public pledge of editorial independence may ease some fears, but many inside the network appear to be waiting to see how those promises translate into practice once the ownership transition is complete.
