CNN CEO Addresses Staff Amid Paramount Skydance Merger Developments

<figure><img alt="David Ellison" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/TOBU2OSPLJBENEWT7PMX5DDWBI.jpg?auth=978271ccea1cb2e92327d1ca45190b7cecc998d071a86bce69d85d3c8393a16a&amp;smart=true&amp;width=6297&amp;height=3542" /><figcaption>Jeff Bottari / Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC</figcaption></figure><p>Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN, addressed staff during a Zoom call regarding the merger between Paramount Skydance and CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. This call followed the resolution of legal challenges that cleared the way for the merger.</p><p>During the call, Thompson expressed uncertainty about the future direction of the network under the new ownership, stating, "I’m afraid this is one of those occasions where… you’ll find the answers are slightly scarcer than the questions." He emphasized his willingness to contribute if deemed useful by the new management.</p><img alt="Thompson doesn't even know if he'll have a job after the takeover. / Dimitrios Kambouris / Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images" height="3334" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/6XJOB3B6LVBFDGFZY7KNDZKLFU.jpg?auth=be789132bee82342a047daf8c6a2da0e78d6c5ae253e6e283cac1c59536a88e0&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5000&amp;height=3334" width="5000" /><p>David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, has not communicated directly with Thompson since the merger announcement. Thompson acknowledged Ellison's effective handling of the legal settlement related to antitrust concerns regarding the merger.</p><p>Thompson praised the speed of the merger process, referring to it as an "astonishing achievement," and mentioned a planned panel to oversee editorial standards across the newsrooms of both companies.</p><p>Concerns among CNN staff include the leadership style of Bari Weiss, who was appointed to lead CBS News and has implemented significant changes at that network. Reports indicate that Weiss's approach has been viewed as aggressive, leading to notable departures within CBS News.</p><video id="t3dYDitJ" poster="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/t3dYDitJ/poster.jpg"><source src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/t3dYDitJ.mp4" type="video/mp4" /></video><p>Thompson criticized media coverage of the changes at CBS, suggesting that some reporting is driven by sensationalism aimed at attracting subscribers. He also advised staff not to assume that the two news operations would be merged.</p><p>Staff reactions to Thompson's comments were mixed, with some expressing skepticism about the reassurances given the uncertainty surrounding the merger's impact on CNN's future.</p><p>The Daily Beast has reached out to CNN and Paramount Skydance for further comments.</p>