CNN‘s Jake Tapper wound up having to break some news on Thursday’s “The Lead” that affects his own network. After a commercial break, the anchor came back on air and announced to viewers – and the crew – that Paramount Skydance had, just a few moments before, moved into position to become the presumptive new owner of CNN owner Warner Bros. Discovery.
Tapper went on the air with a “Breaking News” banner, saying, “We have some breaking news in our national lead that affects everybody I’m looking at right now in the studio. Moments ago, Netflix said it is declining to raise its offer for the purchase of Warner Bros. Studios and HBO, following the Warner Bros. Discovery board’s determination that Paramount — which is not just going for Warner Bros. Studios and HBO, but also the whole enchilada, including us here at CNN. Paramount has submitted a ‘superior offer,’ according to Warner Bros. Discovery’s board. As I’ve noted, Warner Bros. Discovery is the parent company of CNN.”
Netflix said Thursday it would not match Paramount’s increased bid of $111 million for Warner Bros. Discovery, paving the way for Paramount Skydance to acquire the studio pending regulatory approval.
Tapper then asked CNN media analyst Brian Stelter to weigh in: “Ted Sarandos was at the White House for meetings today and I’m told he left the White House in a not very happy mood,” Stelter said. “But it is possible that Netflix has been given signals from the White House that the regulatory roadblocks were going to be too severe for the Netflix deal to go through.”
Paramount CEO David Ellison, who has frequently visited the White House in recent months, is said to have told the Trump administration that if his company were to acquire CNN, he would make “sweeping changes.” Meanwhile Trump said it is “imperative that CNN be sold,” as he maintains the network doesn’t treat him fairly.
Watch the segment below:
variety.com
#CNNs #Jake #Tapper #Breaks #News #Paramount #Buying #WBD #Live #Air
