Media executive Barry Diller expressed strong interest in acquiring CNN during an appearance at The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival on Tuesday. Diller, chairman of media conglomerate IAC, stated he would “absolutely” buy the news network immediately, citing concerns about its current direction. “Absolutely, I would do it tonight and tomorrow night,” he said, adding that he hopes to act before the network faces further challenges or potential decline.

Diller described CNN as “so ripe” for innovation, suggesting the network has not seen substantial creative changes in nearly a decade. His comments come amid a significant ownership transition for CNN’s parent company. Warner Bros. Discovery currently owns CNN, but the company is slated to be acquired by Paramount in a deal valued at $81 billion, led by David Ellison. Representatives from both Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery declined to comment on Diller’s remarks or the potential acquisition.

The statements from Diller highlight continued interest and debate around the future of traditional cable news networks as the media landscape evolves with growing competition from digital platforms. With the pending merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount expected to reshape the media industry, Diller’s remarks underscore the perceived opportunities and challenges CNN faces under new ownership.