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Paramount Global

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Einbinder Defends Ruffalo as Antisemitism Claims Roil Studio Merger
entertainment17 hours ago

Einbinder Defends Ruffalo as Antisemitism Claims Roil Studio Merger

Hannah Einbinder publicly defended Mark Ruffalo after Paramount accused him of antisemitism for linking Larry Ellison’s Oracle funding to the Israeli military, in the wake of his opposition to Paramount Global’s merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Einbinder, who has spoken out on Palestinian rights, posted a lengthy message praising Ruffalo and arguing that his criticisms target oligarchs and corporate consolidation—not Jewish people—and that artists should stand with workers who could lose thousands of jobs if the deal goes through.

Paramount flags CNN sale as path to settle 12-state antitrust suit
business13 days ago

Paramount flags CNN sale as path to settle 12-state antitrust suit

Paramount’s legal chief signaled CNN could be sold to settle a 12-state antitrust suit tied to its $110 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, a move that could unlock the politically charged merger; reports also note talks of an editorial board and safeguards for CNN’s independence, while California’s attorney general remains skeptical and a September 30 deadline could trigger substantial ticking fees if no agreement, potentially pushing the case to trial in 2027.

Black Thursday at 60 Minutes: Bari Weiss's overhaul sparks mass firings and a leadership showdown
business2 months ago

Black Thursday at 60 Minutes: Bari Weiss's overhaul sparks mass firings and a leadership showdown

Six former 60 Minutes staffers accuse Bari Weiss of orchestrating a sweeping purge of senior producers and editors, culminating in Scott Pelley's firing by Nick Bilton, as CBS News confronts a chaotic leadership shakeup tied to Paramount Global deals and questions about editorial independence and the show’s future—sparking worries it could signal broader changes at CNN.

Letterman Slams CBS Bosses as Colbert’s Finale Approaches
entertainment3 months ago

Letterman Slams CBS Bosses as Colbert’s Finale Approaches

David Letterman, in a New York Times interview, blasted CBS executives—calling them “lying weasels”—over canceling The Late Show as Stephen Colbert prepares his final episode. He questioned CBS and Skydance’s financial rationale, suggested the deal prioritized money over people, and praised Byron Allen as a more credible successor, while Colbert expressed skepticism about CBS’s stated reasons for the show's demise.

Paramount Subscribers Sue to Block Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Over Antitrust Fears
business3 months ago

Paramount Subscribers Sue to Block Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Over Antitrust Fears

Paramount subscribers filed a California federal lawsuit to block Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery and Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount, arguing the consolidation would substantially lessen competition across streaming, news, and theatrical distribution, raise prices, reduce output, and diminish consumer choice. The complaint suggests the merged entity would rank among the largest streaming platforms and be a major news player, with regulators including the DOJ and California AG reviewing the deal. Paramount calls the suit meritless, marking the first public antitrust challenge to this Hollywood consolidation trend.

Netflix Accused of Undermining WarnerMount Merger
business4 months ago

Netflix Accused of Undermining WarnerMount Merger

Hollywood insiders allege Netflix quietly supported campaigns to block the Warner Bros. Discovery–Paramount Global merger (WarnerMount) and may have alerted regulators; Netflix has denied involvement. The deal is drawing intensified scrutiny from federal antitrust authorities and state attorneys general, a climate reinforced by recent court rulings on media consolidation. Proponents say it would create a stronger rival to streaming leaders, while critics warn it could curb competition and raise costs for consumers.

Late-night in limbo as Paramount-HBO deal tightens exits for Trump-targeted hosts
media5 months ago

Late-night in limbo as Paramount-HBO deal tightens exits for Trump-targeted hosts

Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery and the resulting HBO integration could leave top late-night hosts like John Oliver, Bill Maher, and Stephen Colbert with fewer viable escape hatches, as ownership shifts intersect with Trump’s vocal opposition and a shrinking linear-TV landscape, making future opportunities and the hosts’ independence more precarious.

Gulf Money Fuels Hollywood Megadeal, Sparking Soft-Power Debate
business5 months ago

Gulf Money Fuels Hollywood Megadeal, Sparking Soft-Power Debate

Paramount Global's planned $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is backed by $24 billion from Gulf sovereign funds (Saudi PIF, Abu Dhabi’s L’imad, and Qatar Investment Authority), a move that signals Gulf states’ aim to diversify and expand influence in global media. While officials say investors won’t gain governance rights, analysts warn the scale could still translate into influence over strategy and editorial decisions for properties like CNN and HBO, prompting regulatory and geopolitical scrutiny as Hollywood’s landscape shifts.

Paramount Wins WBD Bid, CNN Braces for Uncertain Future
media5 months ago

Paramount Wins WBD Bid, CNN Braces for Uncertain Future

Paramount Global emerged as the winner in a roughly $110 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that sparks anxiety at CNN about its future under new ownership. With Paramount declining to comment on CNN’s fate and no firm commitments from the buyer, staff fear potential shifts in editorial direction and cost-cutting, exacerbated by political pressures tied to the Ellison family’s ties to Donald Trump, as regulators and deal terms remain to be negotiated.

Paramount Skydance Leaders Dodge Warner Bros. Bid Talk During Q4 Earnings
business6 months ago

Paramount Skydance Leaders Dodge Warner Bros. Bid Talk During Q4 Earnings

Paramount, now led by Skydance’s David Ellison and Paramount president Jeff Shell, reported a Q4 2025 showing declines in linear ad sales but momentum for Paramount+ and Pluto TV, and the executives avoided discussing Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Ellison acknowledged the film slate underperformed in 2025 and outlined a rebuild plan that includes more theatrical releases in 2026 (16) and a significant expansion of engineering talent to accelerate tech-driven improvements. Shell stressed CBS’s pivotal role in NFL distribution and expressed confidence in the growth of the FAST/Pluto TV strategy despite monetization headwinds, with cost discipline and licensing deals expected to lift profitability as the studio rebuilds and negotiates future rights.

WBD Reconsiders Paramount Offer Amid Netflix Deal Hold
business6 months ago

WBD Reconsiders Paramount Offer Amid Netflix Deal Hold

Warner Bros. Discovery says it is reviewing a sweetened Paramount bid after a seven-day waiver, with details of Paramount’s revised proposal not publicly disclosed. Netflix’s all-cash deal to acquire WBD’s studio and HBO remains in effect, and the board continues to recommend it. Paramount’s revised PSKY bid could pressure Netflix to respond by matching, though any match may differ since Netflix would only be acquiring the film studio and HBO assets. A Netflix vote is set for March 20, and WBD will update shareholders after the board’s review.

WBD Reassesses Paramount's Revised Bid as Netflix Deal Persists
business6 months ago

WBD Reassesses Paramount's Revised Bid as Netflix Deal Persists

Warner Bros. Discovery said it is reviewing Paramount’s revised cash takeover proposal with its financial and legal advisers, but disclosed no terms. Paramount has kept its prior tender as a placeholder and said any WBD deal would require a “Company Superior Proposal” under its Netflix merger agreement, with Netflix’s bid remaining in effect and a March 20 stockholder vote on the Netflix deal still on the calendar.

WBD Stock Surges as Paramount’s Bid Drama Keeps Investors Watching
business6 months ago

WBD Stock Surges as Paramount’s Bid Drama Keeps Investors Watching

Warner Bros. Discovery shares rose as investors weigh Paramount’s escalating cash bid for WBD against Netflix’s competing offer, with Paramount’s $30-a-share bid aimed at derailing Netflix’s $27.75-a-share offer and a potential Discovery Global spin-off, plus a March 20 shareholder vote on the Netflix deal amid a broader market decline.