NY Post: CNN Staff in Panic Over Paramount Success

Employees at CNN are said to be "freaking out" over the announcement that Warner Bros. Discovery will be acquired by Paramount Skydance, Charles Gasparino reported in the New York Post.

Top talent and low-level producers were described as "apoplectic" over the acquisition by Paramount, prompting CNN President Mark Thompson to send out a memo Thursday night to quell anxiety, Gasparino reported.

"Despite all the speculation you've read during this process, I'd suggest that you don't jump to conclusions about the future until we know more," Thompson wrote.

"And secondly let's not forget our duty to our audience. We're still near the start of what is already an incredibly newsy year at home and abroad, one that will culminate with critical U.S. midterm elections and who knows what else," Thompson added.

The news network's coverage is expected to become more sympathetic to President Donald Trump now that it will be owned by David Ellison in a deal financed by his father, Larry, a supporter of the president, sources told Gasparino.

But CNN is expected to remain centrist and not turn into a right-wing news outlet after the $80.5 billion purchase, sources told Gasparino.

"Yes, I know people are scared but we're looking to produce a news product that appeals to 70% of the country that is either center left or center right," a source at Paramount Skydance told Gasparino. "Why be scared of that?"

But employees at CNN are worried that Trump will be calling the Ellisons and Bari Weiss, the president of CBS News, trying to dictate coverage, Gasparino reported.

CNN employees have also expressed concerns about layoffs as Paramount Skydance seeks to cut costs, Gasparino said.

But despite the network's chronically low ratings, it is still a revenue generator. This year, its adjusted operating profit is projected at $600 million on revenue of $1.8 billion, according to Gasparino.

Paramount Skydance would be expected to merge CBS News with CNN, Gasparino said, which could lead to Thompson and other top producers and anchors being laid off due to redundancy as the media conglomerate will be incurring billions in debt as part of the acquisition.

Gasparino reported that Paramount Skydance has been looking at the books.

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