Billionaire Larry Ellison Discusses Potential Changes at CNN Amidst Deal Talks with Paramount Skydance
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/larry-ellison-112025-ab3fc81fba5b4cdda0c933cb7a67bdca.jpg)
There have been reports suggesting that Larry Ellison, the primary shareholder of Paramount Skydance, has been in discussions regarding the potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Part of these discussions reportedly included talks about the dismissal of several CNN hosts that are not favored by President Donald Trump.
Ellison, 81, is said to have maintained communication with various White House officials during Trump’s administration. In one instance, he allegedly raised the possibility of restructuring CNN, which is currently under the ownership of Warner Bros. Discovery. The proposed changes would involve the removal of anchors like Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar, who have not garnered favour with Trump.
The alleged conversations have sparked interest at the White House, with discussions also touching upon the prospect of airing CBS programs, such as 60 Minutes, on CNN. Despite Ellison’s involvement in these talks, it is important to note that he does not hold an official role within the company, as it is primarily managed by his son, David Ellison.
The preference for Paramount Skydance in the potential deal with Warner Bros. Discovery could be attributed, at least in part, to a recent settlement between the company and Trump. Paramount settled a lawsuit with the former president for $16 million after Trump accused them of distorting a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris before the 2024 election. This settlement led to the cancellation of CBS’ popular late-night show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, who had publicly criticised the decision to settle with Trump.
Trump has been known for calling on networks to dismiss hosts who criticise him, as evidenced by his recent call for NBC to fire Seth Meyers. As bids for Warner Bros. Discovery are being considered, Paramount is not the only company interested in the acquisition. Reports suggest that Netflix and Comcast are also exploring offers for the media conglomerate.
While Paramount Skydance is a significant contender in the acquisition discussions, it is essential to acknowledge that the White House has not officially commented on these reported conversations. Additionally, CNN declined to provide a statement regarding the developments.
In conclusion, the potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance has sparked significant interest, with discussions reportedly touching upon restructuring at CNN. The involvement of Larry Ellison in these talks, alongside the background of the settlement between Paramount and Trump, adds layers of complexity to the unfolding story. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching implications for the future of broadcasting and journalism.