By VIRA Broadcasting | October 2, 2026
NEW YORK — Paramount CEO David Ellison has asked CNN chief executive Mark Thompson to stay on after Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery closes, with editorial independence emerging as the central demand in their contract talks, the Wall Street Journal first reported and Reuters confirmed through a source.
The two sides have been discussing a new contract for Thompson in recent weeks, but no terms have been agreed, Reuters reported. Thompson’s key demand is guarantees of wide control over CNN’s journalism, according to the Journal and Reuters.
Meanwhile, CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss is not expected to have a role involving CNN when the deal closes, Reuters reported, citing a source. Paramount is still deciding how CNN and CBS News will work together, the Journal reported.
On Wednesday, a U.S. judge entered an order allowing Paramount to close the acquisition, ending a months-long holdup, Reuters reported. The order approved a Sept. 21 settlement between Paramount and a California-led group of 12 states that had sued to block the merger. Under the settlement, the combined company must establish an independent News Editorial Independence Board to safeguard editorial autonomy at both CBS News and CNN.
Reuters puts the deal’s value at $110 billion, while the Wall Street Journal puts it at $81 billion. The deal is expected to close Oct. 6, Reuters reported.
About a week ago, Thompson told CNN staff he wants to remain if Paramount finds him useful, TheWrap reported, while cautioning employees not to assume CNN and CBS News would merge.
Among CNN staff, there is concern about Weiss having influence over the news operation, the Journal reported. Weiss’s short tenure at CBS News has included controversial moves, including a “60 Minutes” overhaul that coincided with the departures of veteran correspondents.
Paramount declined to comment, Reuters reported. Warner Bros. Discovery did not respond to a request for comment.
Sources: The Wall Street Journal; Reuters; TheWrap.