American film producer, media proprietor, Paramount Skydance CEO since Aug 2025
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.
Roskomnadzor has been at the center of a February-to-April surge in security claims, with authorities alleging Ukrainian involvement in a string of sabotage attempts and threatening online information controls amid broader war-time tensions. The latest case involves a supposed drone- or bomb-related plot raising questions about Ukrainian influence and internal security responses.
Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, has died at 87. His life spanned philanthropy, conservation, entertainment and sports ownership. His most enduring legacy is creating the 24-hour news cycle through CNN, which transformed journalism and public discourse. His passing prompts questions about CNN’s future under new ownership.
The Ellison family’s Paramount is pushing ahead with its deal to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery, amid heightened scrutiny from the DOJ and state attorneys general. Regulators have hosted a lengthy deposition and remain weighing antitrust implications, while Paramount’s chief legal officer frames opposition as politically charged. CBS News leadership changes have intensified internal turmoil.
CBS News has fired longtime 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley after a clash with new leadership. Bari Weiss says the foundation of trust was broken and that they could not find a path back, while CBS executives praise Pelley's body of work and look to the show's future under Nick Bilton.
The New York Times and New York Post report that after a leadership purge at CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim are debating whether to remain. Ellison’s Paramount takeover is under scrutiny as staff confronts management over editorial independence and leadership changes.
Fired 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley has accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of steering coverage to align with the administration, saying changes were demanded to depict protesters as more violent and to frame a shooting victim’s car a certain way. The uproar follows a broader leadership overhaul at 60 Minutes and CBS News, with longtime staffers departing and new leadership pledging independence.
The U.S. Department of Justice has approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery after an eight‑month probe, concluding the merger is unlikely to harm competition in streaming, linear TV or theatrical film markets. The transaction still faces reviews by U.K. and EU regulators and possible lawsuits from state attorneys general.
A string of articles shows AI is transforming junior roles across finance and tech, boosting productivity while prompting debate about job quality and upskilling. Disney, Paramount and Thoma Bravo describe faster coding, more complex tasks for juniors, and government-led training initiatives.
Sean Penn is directing an as-yet-untitled drama about the January 6 riot, with Bradley Cooper in talks to star. The project, based on real individuals, follows an unexpected friendship and production is slated to begin mid-2027. The film’s release window overlaps with other political cinema, including Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning.
Toy Story 5 has opened to record franchise returns, grossing roughly $312m worldwide and dominating ticket sales. Low‑budget horror films made by online creators — notably Obsession, Backrooms and Iron Lung — have posted surprise gains. By contrast, DCilms' Supergirl has underperformed, opening far below studio expectations and drawing poor reviews.
Comcast has announced a tax-free spin-off that will separate NBCUniversal and Sky into a standalone, publicly traded media company while leaving Comcast focused on broadband, wireless and business services. The company has said the separation will complete in about a year, executives told investors, and Comcast will initially keep up to 19.9% of the new media group.
Culture secretary has said she is minded to intervene in the Paramount-WBD merger on public-interest grounds, triggering regulatory scrutiny by Ofcom and the CMA. A final decision has not been taken; Paramount and WBD face a response deadline, with potential timelines extending into Q3 2026.
Paramount Skydance has reported quarterly revenue of $7.35 billion, up 2%, driven by streaming and film slate. Paramount+ added subscribers and revenue, film “Scream 7” boosted film revenue, while TV media faces cord-cutting. The company reaffirms full-year outlook and is pursuing cost cuts tied to the Warner Bros. Discovery deal.
A coalition of 12 U.S. states has secured a 14-day pause on Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, pending a ruling on a preliminary injunction. The deal remains under antitrust review globally as regulators weigh competition, pricing, and content implications for theaters, networks, and streaming platforms.
Broadcasters weigh airing a primetime Trump speech on election security as FCC investigations loom; several networks have limited or preempted coverage, while others are airing clips or streaming live updates.
The European Commission has cleared Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery’s merger after Paramount agrees to terminate a distribution joint venture with Universal in Europe and to refrain from joint distribution deals with Universal or Disney for 10 years. The approval comes with a 13-month unwind window for the Universal arrangement. US regulators remain weighing the merger, with a court pause and potential injunction ongoing.
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.
Trump has used a White House Correspondents’ Dinner to rebuke reporters while praising some and sparking debate about press freedoms. The event follows April’s shooting that disrupted the dinner and raised security concerns.