American film producer and media executive, chair/CEO of Skydance
A coalition of U.S. states led by California has sought a preliminary injunction to block Paramount’s planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The court actions aim to pause the deal while antitrust reviews proceed globally, with the EU also weighing concessions. Paramount says it is prepared to pursue a schedule to close the deal if blocked. A ticking fee could be triggered if closing slips past Sept. 30.
Recent reporting shows internal strife across several local stations, including layoffs and staff friction at WTWO Terre Haute and exchanges surrounding WTWO meteorologist Alex Kerkhove, alongside leadership shifts at CBS News and Bari Weiss’s 60 Minutes overhaul. New signings and management tactics have emerged as networks reorganize after personnel upheavals.
Several Republicans have jumped into the South Carolina U.S. Senate special election, linking their bids to President Trump’s endorsement of Darline Graham Nordone. Sanford, Fry, Norman and Lynch are on the ballot or entering the race, while Gowdy remains a potential wildcard. The contest centers on loyalty to Trump and how endorsements shift the primary landscape.
Paramount+ is rolling out a free, ad-supported tier and testing micro dramas as part of a broader product revamp. The moves are designed to attract new users, boost engagement, and drive future subscriptions, while streaming peers remain constrained by antitrust scrutiny over Paramount’s potential WBD acquisition.
60 Minutes has undergone leadership upheaval, with Bari Weiss at the helm of CBS News since last year. Staff departures and conflicts over editorial direction have intensified, while new hires and resident journalists reshape the program as it confronts internal tensions and broader merger dynamics.
Trump has attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after a postponement due to a gun attack outside the Washington Hilton. He uses the stage to critique the media, tout his resilience, and tease opponents, while noting heightened security and a smaller guest list.
President Trump has attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, praised some journalists, mocked others and repeatedly attacked news organisations and named reporters. The event has followed the April shooting that forced the original dinner to be abandoned and featured tighter security and awards for reporters, including a Wall Street Journal team.
NBCUniversal has struck a multi-year deal adding Peacock Premium to YouTube Premium in the U.S. from early 2027. Peacock, NBC’s live sports and popular shows will be accessible directly within YouTube, without extra charges for Premium subscribers. The move aims to broaden Peacock’s reach and boost advertising revenue, as NBCU expands distribution beyond its own apps.
Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery has been paused amid a flurry of antitrust challenges from U.S. states and industry groups. CEO David Ellison has publicly defended the deal, arguing independence for CNN and CBS News, and detailing commitments to keep production flowing if the deal proceeds.
California’s AGs have filed a high-stakes antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The coalition argues the deal would harm consumers and reduce competition. The case has paused the merger, with potential remedies on the table as regulators scrutinize the deal’s impact on production and distribution.
The UK has cleared Paramount’s proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, subject to legally binding commitments to preserve Channel 5’s independence and the UK’s editorial boundaries. The CMA and DCMS say the deal will not lessen competition and will protect UK content; a US antitrust challenge remains pending.
CBS Evening News has seen ratings improve with a substitute anchor, Matt Gutman, delivering best performance in 17 weeks as Tony Dokoupil recovers from fluctuations in viewership. Independent confirms Gutman’s temporary boost, while The Guardian notes ongoing challenges for Bari Weiss’s leadership and 60 Minutes changes amid a broader network transition.
Paramount has signalled willingness to engage with California and other states over the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The company is preparing for possible relocation if settlement talks fail, while regulators press to block the deal on antitrust grounds. A March trial remains in focus, with ticking fees looming as the company seeks a path forward.
U.S. states have filed suit to block Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, asserting it would control about one-third of major movie titles and cable programming. The case has prompted talks of structural remedies, though theaters and other stakeholders seek protections before any approval. A trial is set for March, with ongoing talks in the background.
Actor Mark Ruffalo has urged lawmakers to block Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery, linking the deal to Oracle’s ties to Israel. Paramount calls the rhetoric antisemitic tropes; George Clooney defends Ruffalo’s right to speak. Over 170 Jewish artists have signed a letter supporting Ruffalo. The merger remains under antitrust scrutiny and on hold as debate intensifies.
The Guardians report on how Star Trek’s utopian roots collide with today’s political divisions and the franchise’s evolving status in a polarized media landscape.
Star Trek’s 60th anniversary is marred by debate over inclusivity and the franchise’s future. Multiple outlets report on cancellation of a Paramount+ series, with actors defending the franchise’s progressive values while critics question its current direction. Readers are watching closely as sponsors and fans weigh the franchise’s next moves.
South Park has announced a name change to South America for its 29th season, in a move that mirrors President Trump’s recent renaming attempts for lakes, gulf and even a state. The show’s creators say the rename is inspired by Apple and Google and thanks Paramount Skydance, as the merger and regulatory backdrop grow.
The creators of South Park have announced that the show will officially be known as SOUTH AMERICA for its 29th season, a move inspired by Apple and Google renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America. The announcement comes as Donald Trump has pushed for names changes in U.S. maps and fronts a broader political clash with Canada and tech platforms.
Oracle founder Larry Ellison has canceled a plan to sell up to 50 million Oracle shares, a move disclosed in regulatory filings. The reversal follows a plan announced in June to sell stock under a 10b5-1 trading plan, which is now scrapped. Oracle’s push into AI infrastructure has coincided with rising debt and reduced cash flow, contributing to a stock decline this year.
CBS News’ flagship program is navigating upheaval after major leadership shake-ups and staff departures. A memo to staff charts a renewed focus on original reporting, with veterans returning amid internal tensions over the show’s direction.
Paramount Skydance faces antitrust litigation blocking its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. A California-led legal challenge threatens to push Paramount’s headquarters and thousands of jobs out of California, triggering a potential $10.6–$21.2 billion hit to state output and hundreds of millions in tax losses. The LAEDC warns the move could reshape Hollywood’s economic center.
CBS News has begun a leadership overhaul at 60 Minutes, with Bari Weiss implementing a new editorial direction after a year of internal turmoil. Early reporting shows staffing changes and questions about how the program will adapt to a changing newsroom.
Bloomberg reports a settlement could come this weekend or Monday, with Warner Bros. shares rising 8.6%. Paramount asserts no transfer of control, the Ellison family retains majority voting interests.
Paramount has settled a multi-state antitrust suit over its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, agreeing to distribute a set number of films annually and to safeguard CBS News and CNN’s editorial independence. The deal clears a major hurdle but integration and staffing questions remain as regulators, executives, and staff brace for the next phase.
Twelve state attorneys general have reached a settlement with Paramount Skydance that has cleared the way for its merger with Warner Bros. The deal has required independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS, a commitment to release at least 30 theatrical films a year and a $30m penalty if that output target is missed. Critics and media advocates have condemned the concessions.
President Donald Trump has suggested at a Nebraska rally that higher fuel costs from the US‑Israel war with Iran are "a small price to pay" and said "they can take out a city — let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego." California officials have condemned the remarks as dangerous; the White House has dismissed the backlash as a "media freakout."
David Ellison has closed the roughly $110 billion merger that combines Paramount and Warner Bros. into a single company rebranded Skydance. The deal has folded HBO Max and Paramount+ together under one owner, brought CBS and CNN into the same corporate roof, and left the new firm carrying heavy debt while promising film release minimums and editorial safeguards.
Skydance has closed its landmark merger, uniting Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to form a media powerhouse. The deal brings HBO Max, Paramount+, CNN, CBS News, and iconic film titles under one umbrella, with Ellison and Kreiz leading the new group. The integration plan and pricing strategy remain uncertain as the company outlines its faster path to scale.
Skydance has completed its $111 billion merger, uniting Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery under one umbrella and creating a media giant that also includes CNN, CBS News, HBO Max and Paramount+. The deal promises a future of unified streaming, cost savings, and potential job impacts across film and news divisions.
60 Minutes has rebounded in viewership this season, reaching about 10.2 million viewers for a recent episode, according to Nielsen data. The numbers follow a weaker season debut and reflect a broader reboot under Nick Bilton and Bari Weiss. The program is navigating leadership changes while pursuing stable ratings and social reach.
The film Digger has sparked a fierce debate about climate satire and audience fatigue. Despite a star-studded cast led by Tom Cruise, critics are divided, with some praising bold experiments in storytelling and others criticizing tone and pacing. Early box office shows a global haul of around $20 million on a reported budget of $125 million, signaling a potential catastrophic performance.
The documentary on Elon Musk has seen shifting release plans as studios negotiate distribution. TikTok has suspended an associated account over political content, while HBO’s airing remains in question as Universal reassesses international rights.
Christiane Amanpour has announced she is separating from CNN, with plans to end her Amanpour programs next year and graduate to new projects. Her exit comes as CNN enters a new era under Skydance, following Paramount’s completion of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Amanpour will continue her podcast, The Ex Files.