{"id":2640306,"date":"2026-08-04T12:35:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T16:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paramount-skydance-ceo-david-ellison-says-antitrust-lawsuit-is-about-cnn\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T12:36:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T16:36:35","slug":"paramount-skydance-ceo-david-ellison-says-antitrust-lawsuit-is-about-cnn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paramount-skydance-ceo-david-ellison-says-antitrust-lawsuit-is-about-cnn\/","title":{"rendered":"Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison says antitrust lawsuit is about CNN"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fparamount-skydance-ceo-david-ellison-says-antitrust-lawsuit-is-about-cnn%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2640306&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>David Ellison, CEO of Paramount skydance, addressed the antitrust litigation related to his company&#8217;s proposed $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Finding in a New York Times guest essay. He argued that opposition to the deal is driven by concerns over his ownership of CNN rather than market share, noting that the deal has been approved by regulators in 65 countries. Ellison suggested the real issue is trust in his stewardship of CNN amid speculation about his politics and loyalties. He emphasized his commitment to unbiased journalism, stating he votes across party lines and aims for factual reporting, safeguarding the independence of news outlets like CNN and CBS News. Ellison also addressed criticism linked to his amiable ties with Donald Trump and recent leadership changes at CBS News. The merger faces legal hurdles in multiple states, with trials scheduled for 2027. Ellison chose to speak out publicly to clarify his stance and influence public perception as the legal process unfolds, highlighting that the future of the merger and the success of the news organizations depend on audience trust and the outcomes of court proceedings.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/paramount\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"16440\">Paramount Skydance<\/a> CEO David Ellison broke his silence on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/antitrust\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1187\">antitrust<\/a> litigation facing his company\u2019s proposed $111 billion <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mergers-and-acquisitions\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"616\">merger<\/a> with Warner Bros. Discovery.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a <em>New York Times<\/em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/08\/04\/opinion\/david-ellison-paramount-warner-deal.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/08\/04\/opinion\/david-ellison-paramount-warner-deal.html\">guest essay<\/a> published Tuesday, Ellison argued that legal pushback against the deal has been motivated by concerns over his ownership of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cnn\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"732\">CNN<\/a>, not market share as argued by a dozen Democratic state attorneys general.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4673871\/paramount-david-ellison-antitrust-cnn\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Paramount CEO David Ellison says antitrust lawsuit is about CNN ownership, not market share<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4673015\/updated-list-trump-ownership-stakes-private-enterprises-equity-chip-production\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>The updated list of Trump ownership stakes in private companies<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4672816\/republicans-slam-mamdani-id-requirement-city-owned-grocery-stores\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Republicans slam Mamdani\u2019s ID requirement for city-owned grocery stores<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI believe this fight is not really about market share. If it were, it wouldn\u2019t have been reviewed and approved by regulators reflecting 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union and China,\u201d he wrote. \u201cI believe a plainer worry sits beneath the briefs and the news releases: the news. The issue is whether I can be trusted as a steward of Warner\u2019s CNN. There has been speculation about my politics, my loyalties, my intentions.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The chief executive has faced scrutiny stemming from his friendly relationship with President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>, who famously despises the news outlet. Since late last year, reports have alleged that Ellison and his father, tech billionaire Larry Ellison, promised Trump they would overhaul CNN if Paramount Skydance ultimately buys Warner Bros., which owns CNN. Paramount has denied such reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Critics of the merger have pointed to Paramount Skydance\u2019s takeover of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cbs-news\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1807\">CBS News<\/a> last August as proof that CNN would be worse off in Ellison\u2019s hands. CBS News saw a major leadership change with the appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief after Skydance Media acquired and merged with Paramount Global. Before joining Paramount, Ellison founded and led Skydance for nearly 20 years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The film producer offered readers a peek into his political beliefs in an effort to counter claims that he will steer news outlets toward his personal views.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have regularly voted for candidates of both parties,\u201d Ellison said. \u201cI hold some views that would be called conservative and others that would be called liberal, just like most Americans; and when it comes to our news operations, I do not aspire to lead these companies to bend their newsrooms to my views. I believe that news should be based on facts and truth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGreat news organizations like CNN and CBS News are here to tell it straight down the middle,\u201d he added. \u201cThat requires newsrooms that reflect the whole world, not one side of it. And it requires independence. Our journalists will continue to answer to the facts and to all the people they serve \u2014 not to any party or cause. These were founding principles for both CNN and CBS News, for legends like Ted Turner and Edward R. Murrow, and it is exactly that kind of independence that has always fueled the greatness of \u201960 Minutes.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The long-running Sunday evening news program faced massive upheaval this year when CBS News fired prominent journalists Scott Pelley and Sharyn Alfonsi, among others, from the show.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To fill those shoes, CBS recently announced a new slate of hires for <em>60 Minutes<\/em>, including former <em>New York Times<\/em> conservative columnist Ross Douthat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, the merger agreement between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. is at risk of falling apart after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"60\">California<\/a> and 11 other states sued to block the companies from combining under federal antitrust law. The Writers Guild of America has a similar lawsuit playing out in court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ellison decided to speak out against the legal opposition facing his company because, he wrote, \u201cwhile I was silent, others were happy to write my story for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Toward the end of his op-ed, Ellison said it\u2019s up to the audience \u201cwhether a news organization thrives or withers,\u201d not any decisions made by Paramount Skydance if it ends up controlling CNN. Right now, the merger\u2019s fate is dependent on the outcome of an upcoming trial.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paramount Skydance proposed Nov. 4 as the trial date, while California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the other plaintiffs want the trial proceedings to start April 5, 2027. A federal judge presiding over the case has yet to decide on trial scheduling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4663195\/paramount-delays-warner-bros-merger-legal-roadblocks\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4663195\/paramount-delays-warner-bros-merger-legal-roadblocks\/\">PARAMOUNT DELAYS WARNER BROS. MERGER AMID LEGAL ROADBLOCKS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last month, Paramount Skydance agreed to postpone the date to close the merger until the antitrust trial concludes or June 1, 2027, whichever comes first. The company previously wanted to finalize the deal by Sept. 30. For every quarter after that date, Paramount Skydance must pay Warner Bros. shareholders a \u201cticking fee\u201d amounting to about $650 million. By next June, Paramount will be on the hook for roughly $2 billion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ellison\u2019s op-ed was published on the same day that Paramount is supposed to report its second-quarter earnings. Warner Bros. is doing the same on Thursday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ellison claims anti-merger fight is about CNN, not market share<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2640307,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26086808120432.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4284,50623,14890,4363,51639],"class_list":["post-2640306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-business","tag-cnn-2","tag-entertainment","tag-executives","tag-law-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26086808120432.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2640306"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2640309,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2640306\/revisions\/2640309"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2640307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2640306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2640306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2640306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}