Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison has requested that CNN CEO Mark Thompson remain in his position following the pending completion of Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, sources familiar with the situation said. The $81 billion deal, which includes Warner’s extensive movie and television assets as well as cable channels such as CNN, is expected to close around Oct. 6 after receiving federal approval through a settlement with 12 state attorneys general.

Thompson’s current contract runs into early 2027, and he and Ellison have engaged in discussions about a possible renewal, though no agreement has yet been finalized. Sources indicate that Thompson prioritizes maintaining broad editorial independence and is seeking assurances that his autonomy over CNN’s news operations will be preserved under the new corporate structure.

Ellison and his team are still outlining how CNN will operate alongside Paramount’s CBS News division, led by editor in chief Bari Weiss. According to people familiar with Ellison’s thinking, Weiss is not expected to assume any role at CNN after the merger. Furthermore, the combined organization is unlikely to appoint a single news chief to oversee both CNN and CBS News when Ellison announces the new management structure in the near future.

The integration of CNN and CBS News presents significant challenges due to differences in their operational frameworks. CBS News generally operates under unionized labor contracts, whereas CNN is predominantly nonunion, complicating potential mergers of staff and newsroom functions. In addition, the two divisions have distinct business models, editorial cultures, and talent agreements, which will require careful alignment to maintain their separate identities.

Paramount has had preliminary access to CNN’s operations during the lead-up to the deal’s closing but continues to evaluate how best to manage the combined news entities. As part of the settlement with state attorneys general addressing competition concerns, Paramount has agreed to form a five-member independent board of journalists within 180 days after closing. This board will have the authority to adjudicate disputes between journalists and management regarding editorial standards, including allegations of bias and fairness.

In parallel with restructuring the news divisions, Ellison has moved quickly to shape the leadership of the merged company. On Wednesday, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz was named co-CEO alongside Ellison, who will retain the position of chairman and CEO. Casey Bloys, head of HBO and HBO Max content, is expected to oversee all streaming programming for the combined entity following the recent departure of Paramount’s streaming chief Cindy Holland.