David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, defended his company’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in an op-ed published Tuesday, arguing that the antitrust lawsuit challenging the $110 billion merger is motivated by political concerns rather than traditional market competition issues. The acquisition, which would give Ellison control over the cable news channel CNN, has drawn scrutiny from multiple state attorneys general, prompting a lawsuit aimed at blocking the deal.
Ellison contended that critics are primarily worried about his management of CNN and have raised questions about his political allegiances. In his op-ed, he wrote that the opposition stems less from concerns over market share and more from “whether I can be trusted as a steward of Warner’s CNN.” Ellison emphasized his commitment to maintaining journalistic neutrality, stating that news organizations such as CBS News and CNN should deliver coverage that is “straight down the middle” and represent a full spectrum of viewpoints.
The Paramount Skydance CEO highlighted his bipartisan voting record and claimed to hold both liberal and conservative values. He acknowledged the sensitive nature of overseeing news outlets but stressed that he and his team have no intention of politicizing their coverage. Since assuming leadership of Paramount last summer, Ellison has faced allegations of editorial interference and favoritism toward the Trump administration through decisions at CBS News, including the appointment of Bari Weiss, a former conservative opinion journalist, as editor in chief. Paramount and CBS News have denied these accusations, including claims brought forward by recently fired “60 Minutes” correspondents.
The legal challenge was initiated in July by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and eleven other state attorneys general, who argue the merger violates federal antitrust law by potentially reducing competition in the media landscape. A judge has since issued a temporary hold on the deal’s completion, scheduling a trial for March 2 in a California federal court to examine the antitrust implications.
In response to Ellison’s claims, a spokesperson for Attorney General Bonta described the lawsuit as a straightforward antitrust case, stating the merger is “unlawful under federal law” and emphasizing the focus on maintaining competitive market conditions rather than political considerations.
Paramount Skydance recently reported mixed quarterly earnings, noting growth in streaming and studio revenues offset by declines in its television business. The outcome of the upcoming trial will significantly influence the future of the proposed merger and the control of two of the country’s major media companies.