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CNN Boss Draws Line in the Sand with Paramount on ‘Oversight’ of Network: Report
Media-ite ^ | June 27, 2026 | Zachary Leeman

Posted on 06/28/2026 9:52:25 AM PDT by Red Badger

CNN head Mark Thompson has no interest in sharing “oversight” of his network and has made his position clear to incoming Paramount bosses ahead of an expected $111 billion merger with CNN parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a new report.

With the merger looming and reports indicating Paramount-Skydance CEO David Ellison could hand CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss a major role at CNN, Michael M. Grynbaum and Benjamin Mullin reported in The New York Times that Thompson has made his feelings on the future clear.

Thompson has reportedly told Paramount executives that he “would not share oversight of CNN with another executive,” The Times reported. Thompson declined to comment for the story. According to the same sources, Thompson “has not yet heard from Mr. Ellison’s team about what role he will play after the merger.”

Weiss’s tenure at CBS has sent shockwaves through the network, significant overhauls among staff and major changes at long-running news programs like 60 Minutes. Two people familiar with the situation said Ellison is considering putting Weiss in charge of CNN, which would be a major step up from CBS News, a role she’s held for less than a year after little broadcasting experience.

One idea would be to team Weiss up with someone more experienced in network television who could handle the “technical and financial aspects” at CNN, according to Times sources.

Ellison has insisted CNN will maintain its “editorial independence” after the expected merger, but correspondents and on-air talent are expressing concerns about both Weiss’s involvement and Ellison’s relationship to President Donald Trump. Ellison has attended many events with Trump and his billionaire father, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, is a major Trump donor.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper reportedly said he has no interest in working with Weiss, multiple sources told The Times. Cooper left 60 Minutes in May after 20 years as a correspondent. Ellison reportedly met with another major anchor at the network, Jake Tapper, in the spring, though it’s unknown what specifically was discussed.

CNN tech journalist Kara Swisher said she will refuse to work with the network if Ellison replaces Thompson.

“So far, there’s nothing I’ve seen that indicates that they’re serious about creating a modern digital news organization,” she told The Times.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; History; Society; TV/Movies
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1 posted on 06/28/2026 9:52:25 AM PDT by Red Badger
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To: Red Badger

It’s always good to draw lines in the sand with the guys who control the pocketbook. I am sure Paramount would get along just fine with a closed down CNN.


2 posted on 06/28/2026 9:56:06 AM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: Vermont Lt

CNN could close down and then hire Scott Pelley to be pomous and sanctimonious while no one watches.


3 posted on 06/28/2026 9:58:51 AM PDT by OKSooner (The most hated and despised man in America is crying all the way to the bank. )
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To: Red Badger

tough shitte. Thanks for letting us know who to fire first.

Oh, and firing is not necessary since we can simply assign you to Aphganiztan desk for next 4 years — until you quit.


4 posted on 06/28/2026 10:10:57 AM PDT by bobbo666
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To: Red Badger

Laughable arrogance.

These pompous fools can be replaced faster than the garbage bag in my kitchen wastebasket and nobody outside of the “journalism” community will even know or care.


5 posted on 06/28/2026 10:12:19 AM PDT by pburiak (You really think we can vote our way out of this? That's so cute...)
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To: Red Badger

Pretty transparent - he’s just begging for a nice payday to go away. Which he will inevitably do, regardless. It just depends on how is contract is written.


6 posted on 06/28/2026 10:17:14 AM PDT by bigbob (We are all Charlie Kirk now)
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To: Red Badger

where’s the “well...bye” guy? 😉


7 posted on 06/28/2026 10:17:49 AM PDT by one guy in new jersey
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To: one guy in new jersey

8 posted on 06/28/2026 10:21:04 AM PDT by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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To: Red Badger
of his network

His? So he holds a majority of the shares? No, I don't think so.

9 posted on 06/28/2026 10:25:38 AM PDT by KarlInOhio (If the Islamic Republic government is in power in Iran when the war is over, we will have lost.)
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To: Red Badger

This dude is toast.

Not sure how is contract is written, but I am sure the new owner will find a way to get rid of him soon as cheaply as possible.


10 posted on 06/28/2026 10:30:14 AM PDT by moviefan8
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To: OKSooner

These people have learned nothing from Scott Pelley’s crashout.


11 posted on 06/28/2026 10:33:09 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Enoch Powell warned us about Rivers of Blood. Well, I sure hope they're coming. It's the only fix.)
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To: ClearCase_guy

Everyone needs a boss. Advertisers dictate what propaganda tactics should be used.


12 posted on 06/28/2026 10:39:00 AM PDT by FreedBird (A)
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To: Red Badger

Sounds like some of my nieces:

“”You’re..... You’re not the boss of me!””


13 posted on 06/28/2026 10:45:34 AM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try. )
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To: Red Badger
This played out in Philly when a buyer group purchased the philly newspaper group which included the Daily News and the Inquirer. One of the group - one! - was a republican and they all threw a hissy fit, threatened to quit unless they were guaranteed that they could control their own biased ... I mean independent direction unhindered by the lower level staff that owners are to them.

And it happened just like they demanded. And it probably will here, as CNN continues to swirl around the toilet bowl on it's way to its certain ending.

14 posted on 06/28/2026 10:48:29 AM PDT by pepsi_junkie ("We want no Gestapo or Secret Police. F. B. I. is tending in that direction." - Harry S Truman)
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To: Red Badger

mad skills yo, RB!


15 posted on 06/28/2026 10:53:57 AM PDT by one guy in new jersey
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To: Red Badger

“Ellison has insisted CNN will maintain its “editorial independence””

They have never been independent. They have been Democrat controlled since inception.


16 posted on 06/28/2026 11:04:49 AM PDT by alternatives?
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To: Red Badger

But they’ll certainly take their money.


17 posted on 06/28/2026 11:12:14 AM PDT by Skywise
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