Paramount Global is in the news as a major industry reshuffle and merger scrutiny gears up around Warner Bros. Discovery talks, led by longtime execs at the helm.
The White House has hosted UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn to mark President Trump’s 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary. Organisers have built a 600‑ton structure called "The Claw," staged seven professional fights for about 4,300 invited guests and streamed the card on Paramount+. Critics have challenged the event as a private commercial use of federal land; a court has allowed it to proceed.
Filming for the third season of the period drama 'Debutante' (working title for 'The Buccaneers') took place in Edinburgh, causing road closures and attracting crowds. The series stars Kristine Froseth, Christina Hendricks, and others, recreating 1800s street scenes with period costumes and props.
Al Jazeera has established a secret backup studio in Doha amid fears of Israeli cyberattacks and missile threats. The network is also preparing contingency plans to shift coverage to London and Washington if its main facilities are compromised, as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
CBS News has been undergoing significant changes as new leadership attempts to shift the network's editorial and operational strategies. Bari Weiss and Tom Cibrowski are reportedly working with differing visions, leading to internal frustrations and ratings challenges. Meanwhile, other media outlets are adjusting their staffing and programming to adapt to industry shifts.
A CNN review has resurfaced decade-old posts by Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, highlighting liberal views that diverge from her current moderate image. The posts include criticisms of rural voters and comments about cars, prompting criticisms from rivals while McMorrow defends the posts as normal for someone who has moved across the country.
Stephen Colbert has hosted his final Late Show as CBS confirms the program’s cancellation, with the finale featuring Paul McCartney and a climactic performance of Hello, Goodbye. Coverage notes the financial rationale behind CBS’s decision and situates the moment within broader shifts in network television.
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.
The UK competition regulator has opened an investigation into Paramount Skydance’s $110bn takeover of Warner Bros Discovery to assess whether the merger will substantially lessen competition in the UK. The Competition and Markets Authority will decide by 7 August whether to launch a deeper phase‑2 probe. The deal has already drawn industry opposition and calls from US politicians.
Fox Corp. has agreed to acquire Roku for about $22 billion in a cash-and-stock deal that values Roku at $160 a share. The boards have approved the transaction, which will combine Fox's news, sports and Tubi with Roku's CTV platform and The Roku Channel; the deal is expected to close in the first half of 2027.