After months of controversy, Paramount completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on Oct. 6, creating a combined global entertainment behemoth officially named Skydance Corporation. The new company brings together two major film studios, two global streaming services, premier television assets including HBO, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and CNN.
Two of America’s most influential TV news organizations, CNN and CBS News, will now be under the control of billionaire David Ellison, whose father, Larry Ellison is a major Republican donor and close ally of President Donald Trump. The merger raises serious questions about the increasing concentration of corporate media ownership, editorial independence, the potential for political influence, and self-censorship in news coverage.
Twelve state attorneys general, led by California’s Rob Bonta, had filed an antitrust lawsuit challenging the merger. Negotiations resulted in a settlement requiring the merged company to establish a five-member News Editorial Independence Board to oversee journalistic standards and resolve disputes involving CNN and CBS News. However, all five members will be appointed by Paramount’s own corporate board of directors. Between The Lines’ Scott Harris spoke with Journalist and media critic Ari Paul, who warns that growing corporate media concentration threatens consumer interests and the diversity of viewpoints in U.S. news coverage.
Listen to Scott Harris’ in-depth interview with Ari Paul (15:49)and see more articles and opinion pieces in the related links section of this page. To subscribe to our podcasts, email newsletters, our Between The Lines Radio Newsmagazine Substack or social media, subscribe here.
