Skydance pledges CNN editorial independence after merger
Skydance CEO David Ellison said the company will not interfere with CNN's coverage and will back the network's lawsuit to regain White House access, after the Ellison family's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery merged the broadcaster into Skydance. CNN reported that Mark Thompson will continue as chairman and editor-in-chief of CNN. Earlier, Variety reported that Paramount Skydance was in preliminary talks with CNN CEO Mark Thompson about extending his contract, which runs until 2027, as the company navigated its acquisition of Warner Bros.
Discovery. Deadline added that David Ellison was seeking to retain Thompson after the pending merger to provide stability for the network. TheWrap later noted that Paramount was negotiating a new contract for Thompson while the future role of CBS News head Bari Weiss remained uncertain.