Top of the Ticker: There may be some clarity regarding CNN head Mark Thompson’s position once Paramount Skydance completes its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s current owner. All signs point to Thompson sticking around as CEO, as reports say he met with David Ellison, the CEO of the new conglomerate, and was asked to continue leading the news network.
In staying with CNN, Thompson is reportedly seeking assurances that the network will maintain its independence. It remains unclear how CNN and CBS News will function once they become corporate siblings.
During CNN’s Friday morning editorial call, Thompson did not address the alleged meeting with Ellison but did say, “I’m very committed to CNN and would like nothing better than to lead it into this new chapter in this new company if the circumstances are right.”
Meanwhile, the new name for the media behemoth uniting Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery was unveiled on Friday, and it will be simply known as Skydance. Ellison said in a social media post, “We wanted a name that would give the combined company an identity of its own while allowing Paramount and Warner Bros. — and all our extraordinary brands — to remain in the spotlight.”
In other news, CNN is heading down to Fort Worth, Texas, partnering with Jubilee Media to host the CNN & Jubilee Town Hall with James Talarico on Wednesday, October 14, at 8 p.m. ET. CNN anchor Erin Burnett will moderate the live event before a live audience of Democrats, Republicans, and Independent voters.
