CNN now has a new owner. What will the future of the network be under Skydance?

Skydance, the owner of Paramount, has successfully acquired Warner Bros. Discovery in an $81 billion deal. This acquisition brings CBS and CNN under the same corporate umbrella. Mark Thompson, CNN's current editor-in-chief, will remain in his position at the network, separate from CBS. However, the future of CNN's news operations under Skydance ownership remains unclear.

The billionaire family of Skydance CEO David Ellison has a close relationship with President Donald Trump, who has previously targeted CNN's unfavorable coverage. Following the merger, Skydance agreed to form a "News Editorial Independence Board" within 180 days to oversee CBS and CNN. The board, consisting of five journalists with at least 10 years of experience, will include members appointed by the combined company's board of directors.

While the board will establish editorial principles and monitor ethical journalism, critics are wary of potential editorial turmoil under Skydance's control.

Thompson has expressed confidence in the new ownership's commitment to independent news. However, experts caution that ownership can exert subtle influences on a news organization's editorial character. The long-term impact of Skydance's control on CNN's editorial integrity remains to be seen, as decisions about budgets and personnel can gradually affect the network's news coverage.