CNN Braces for Bari

The $111 billion mega-merger putting Warner Bros. Discovery under David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance umbrella is barreling toward a July closing date, and the tension inside CNN has officially hit a boiling point. If you want a preview of what could be coming to Hudson Yards, you only have to look at the absolute bloodbath over at CBS News. Since Ellison bought Bari Weiss’ The Free Press for $150 million and installed her as CBS News Editor-in-Chief, the legacy broadcaster has been plagued by internal mutinies, plunging ratings, and high-profile executions—including the messy firings of 60 Minutes heavyweights Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega. Now, CNN staffers are terrified that they are next on Weiss' reshaping checklist.

Behind the scenes, CNN CEO Mark Thompson isn't planning on pulling up a chair for a co-captain. Thompson has reportedly drawn a hard line with Paramount executives, making it clear that he will not share oversight or editorial control of CNN with another executive. While CNN corporate strictly maintains that Thompson is the sole Chairman, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief, speculation remains rampant that Ellison wants to expand Weiss’ corporate footprint to include the cable news network.

The brewing civil war has already cost the company top-tier talent. Anderson Cooper, who recently wrapped up a 20-year run as a contributor to 60 Minutes right as Weiss’ rightward, "anti-woke" editorial changes took hold, has reportedly told colleagues in no uncertain terms that he has zero interest in working under Weiss again at CNN.

Meanwhile, employees are bracing for what is being called the "70 percent" mandate. While David Ellison publicly insists that CNN’s editorial independence will absolutely be maintained, his stated business goal is to steer his news properties away from perceived liberal bias and target the 70 percent of Americans who identify as center-left and center-right. Inside CNN, many view this centrist mandate as code for corporate-driven sanitization to appease political interests.

The Bottom Line: Ellison promises he’s in the "truth and trust business," but if the current wreckage at CBS News is any indication, the transition at CNN is going to be anything but smooth. Thompson is digging in for a turf war, star talent is already looking at the exits, and the rank-and-file are bracing for the impact of a Weiss-led editorial overhaul.

Stay tuned.

H/T NY Times