CNN staffers accept new reality as Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros Discovery goes full steam ahead

A new reality is setting in for CNN's rank and file as the network will once again have new ownership following Paramount's merger with its parent company, Warner Bros.

Discovery (WBD).

"I think people are like, 'Let's just get this done,'" one CNN staffer told Fox News Digital .

Paramount's $111 billion bid to buy WBD overcame its biggest obstacle, which was the antitrust lawsuit spearheaded by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several other Democratic State AGs.

Instead of battling out in court during the March 2027 trial date, both parties reached a settlement Monday, paving the way for Paramount CEO David Ellison to take the reins of two legacy Hollywood studios and two major news organizations — CNN and CBS News — among other assets.

Negotiated in the settlement is the implementation of an independent editorial board that will oversee both news outlets.

PARAMOUNT REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH STATES SUING TO BLOCK WARNER BROS DISCOVERY MERGER There have been several reports of internal strife within the CNN newsroom since the settlement was reached, but at least one network staffer believes the sentiment is more nuanced based on conversations they've had with colleagues.

"I think there are fewer people internally opposed to the merger than there used to be," the CNN staffer said.

"People internally just want direction." A second CNN staffer disagreed with the notion that they aren't personally opposed to the merger, telling Fox News Digital, "Nothing has changed about anyone's views at CNN." "If there is that perception, it is coming from the fact that this has been out there for a long time so people are less loud.

That shouldn’t be confused with a change of mindset," they said.

CNN STAFFERS BRACE FOR PARAMOUNT CEO'S POTENTIAL PLAN TO LAUNCH EDITORIAL BOARD TO OVERSEE NETWORK A lot of unknowns loom over CNN as the merger proceeds.

First are the company wide layoffs that are expected to take place that will likely impact CNN.

Second is the change in CNN's leadership — whether its current CEO Mark Thompson will remain or whether Ellison's appointed CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss will have a new role overseeing both news operations, as reports previously suggested.

"I don’t know who will run CNN," the second staffer said.