CNN’s Jake Tapper has to break news affecting his network on Thursday’s “The Lead.” After a commercial break, the anchor returned to the air and announced to viewers and staff that Paramount Skydance had been moved a short time ago to become the presumed new owner of CNN’s owner, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Tapper went on air holding a “Breaking News” banner and said, “We have breaking news that affects everyone watching in the studio right now on the national lead. A short while ago, Netflix announced that the Warner Bros. Discovery board, following Paramount’s decision, was declining its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Studios and HBO. This covers not just Warner Bros. Studios and HBO, but the entire enchilada, including us here.” Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, said Paramount submitted the “best offer,” according to Warner Bros. Discovery’s board of directors.
Netflix said Thursday it would fall short of Paramount’s $111 million increased bid 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 for his opinion. “I heard that Ted Sarandos was at the White House today for a meeting and left the White House in a not-so-good mood,” Stelter said. “However, it is possible that Netflix received a signal from the White House that the regulatory hurdles were too steep to pass a deal with Netflix.”
Paramount CEO David Ellison, who has visited the White House frequently in recent months, is said to have told the Trump administration that his company would make “fundamental changes” if it were to buy CNN. Meanwhile, President Trump claimed that CNN was not treating him fairly and said, “It is imperative that we divest.”
Check out the segment below.
