American entrepreneur; co-founder and CTO/Executive Chairman of Oracle
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The CBS News division, led by Bari Weiss, has seen a wave of departures at 60 Minutes, including Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, Tanya Simon, and other veterans. Anderson Cooper has left, and Scott Pelley was fired, as the network faces internal tensions and questions about editorial direction. New hires across the program aim to stabilize coverage and restore trust amid ongoing changes and a larger merger dispute involving Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Industry leaders warn that AI infrastructure investments have sparked a ferocious race among hyperscalers. Earnings calls show wide investor scepticism about when returns will materialise, even as compute demand remains strong.
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 Attorneys General have filed a high-stakes antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, arguing it would harm consumers and reduce competition. The coalition seeks to block the deal, which would combine HBO Max, Paramount+, HBO, CBS, CNN and thousands of titles under one umbrella. The case has paused the merger, with a ticking fee looming if not closed by Oct. 1. Regulators in the EU have granted conditional approval, while Paramount says the deal will boost production and distribution efficiency.
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 it may relocate operations if California AG Rob Bonta does not settle his antitrust lawsuit blocking the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Ellison has outlined an October relocation plan, with potential moves to Tennessee, Texas or Georgia. Regulators in the US and UK have been watching closely as litigation and settlements shape the deal.
Oracle is preparing a second round of job cuts as it accelerates investment in AI infrastructure. Some teams may face double-digit reductions, with managers asked to list affected employees to trim payroll by Sept. 1. The company has previously eliminated about 21,000 roles in 2026 while increasing AI spending.
California and 11 other states have filed suit to block Paramount's $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing it would reduce competition and raise prices. A new round of talks has been underway, with a focus on structural remedies; state officials say robust concessions are required, while Paramount warns of ticking fees and potential relocation pressures.
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.
Elizabeth Holmes’s new Netflix documentary trailer shows her in a solicitous, gaze-heavy exchange with Nathan Fielder. Viewers describe the clip as unsettling, with body-language experts debating deception and truth as the film follows her 34 days before prison.
Oracle founder Larry Ellison has canceled a plan to sell up to 50 million shares, worth about $7.5 billion, under a 10b5-1 trading plan adopted June 22. The plan is set to expire Oct. 24. No shares have been sold under the plan, and Ellison is the company’s largest shareholder, owning over 38-40% of Oracle. Oracle reports stronger quarterly results, with debt fueling continued data-center expansion and AI cloud contracts amid a stock price decline this year.