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Paula Reid Departs CNN for MS NOW Amid $111B Merger

7/2/2026

Summary

Paula Reid Leaves

Paula Reid will leave CNN when her contract expires this summer.
Her departure coincides with Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, slated to close in the third quarter.
Paula Reid intends to join rival outlet MS NOW after leaving CNN.
Paula Reid said uncertainty over the merger and possible oversight by Bari Weiss drove her decision.
CEO David Ellison pledged that CNN’s editorial independence will be maintained after the deal.

Summary

Paramount Approved

Paramount received DOJ approval, but analyst Blair Levin warns its pro-Trump stance could spark a talent exodus and face UK scrutiny and state lawsuits.
Bari Weiss, CNN’s next steward candidate, oversaw ratings declines at CBS News’ “60 Minutes” and “CBS Evening News.”
Reid’s CNN reporting has centered on court cases and investigations of Presidents Biden and U.S. President Donald Trump, breaking that Trump discussed a document kept after his presidency.

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Paula Reid Leaves

Paula Reid will leave CNN when her contract expires this summer.
Her departure coincides with Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, slated to close in the third quarter.
Paula Reid intends to join rival outlet MS NOW after leaving CNN.
Paula Reid said uncertainty over the merger and possible oversight by Bari Weiss drove her decision.
CEO David Ellison pledged that CNN’s editorial independence will be maintained after the deal.

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