Poynter is reporting that Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison recently broke his silence on the proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal currently facing antitrust lawsuits from a dozen Democratic-led states. The lawsuits argue the merger would reduce competition and increase consumer costs. A significant concern highlighted by critics is that Paramount, which already owns CBS News, would also control CNN, potentially shifting its editorial stance due to Ellison's perceived relationship with President Donald Trump.
Ellison addressed these concerns in a guest essay for The New York Times, Poynter said. He argued that the merger would not harm the entertainment industry, citing the rise of streaming services. Ellison stated he does not intend to bend newsrooms to his views, emphasizing his belief that news should be factual and independent. He asserted that journalists at CNN and CBS News would "answer to the facts and to all the people they serve — not to any party or cause."
However, Poynter noted that Ellison's essay did not address his relationship with the Trump administration, the upheaval at CBS News, the appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief without prior TV news experience, or accusations of political interference and journalist departures at CBS News. Former Associated Press media reporter David Bauder told Poynter he "kept waiting for more" detail from Ellison. CNN's Brian Stelter was quoted by Poynter as saying Ellison's "actions haven’t matched his reassuring words," pointing to Weiss's appointment and its impact on CBS News' trust. Former New York Times media reporter Bill Carter tweeted that Ellison installed a "committed partisan" at CBS News with "ZERO experience," leading to "abysmal" results and questioning his trustworthiness as a "trusted steward" of CNN.
Poynter is also reporting that the antitrust trial between Paramount and the state attorneys general regarding the merger is set for March 2-19, a date much later than Paramount had sought. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin made the ruling. Variety's Todd Spangler reported that the delay means Paramount will incur a "ticking fee" of $7 million per day to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders starting Oct. 1, potentially totaling around $1.2 billion by the trial's conclusion. Paramount expressed confidence in winning at trial and remains open to an out-of-court solution.
Separately, Poynter is reporting on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' recent appearance on Pat McAfee's ESPN show, where he criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci and ESPN itself. Rodgers invoked the Fifth Amendment regarding his mindset for the upcoming NFL season, then compared himself to "that absolute coward Tony Fauci," who pleaded the Fifth during a Senate hearing. Rodgers also called ESPN a "gutless organization" with "no integrity" for not covering the Fauci-Senate story or the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal. ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio reported that an ESPN spokesperson had "no comment" on Rodgers' remarks.
Poynter also highlighted Fox News host Jesse Watters' statement on "The Five" that he "hates the WNBA" and does not want to cover it, despite previous segments on the league. Watters' comments followed Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham addressing her views on transgender athletes in women's sports. Awful Announcing's Matt Yoder was quoted by Poynter as suggesting that conservative media's interest in the WNBA is a "political play to score points" rather than genuine support for women's sports.