Overview
- The Guardian reported that Larry Ellison discussed potentially removing CNN anchors Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar in conversations with White House contacts tied to a prospective Paramount Skydance acquisition.
- Sources also described talk of airing CBS programming such as 60 Minutes on CNN and of floating possible replacement names for on‑air roles.
- Initial, nonbinding bids for Warner Bros. Discovery were due Thursday, with Paramount Skydance preparing an offer alongside interest from Netflix and Comcast.
- Ellison is a major Paramount shareholder but holds no executive role, and the conversations were characterized by sources as informal and anonymous.
- Senior officials are described as favorable to a Paramount deal, while FCC chair Brendan Carr said he would be very surprised if his commission had any role, leaving antitrust review as the primary hurdle.