Former CNN boss Jeff Zucker will not be playing a role at Paramount Global if Media Giant's $8 billion merger with SkyDance is shut down. This includes the possibility of taking the helm of the CBS network.
The dishonorable media executive was forced to work at CNN in 2022 after a romantic relationship with Underling – is rumoured to play a major role in the merged Paramount Ski Dance Entity, chatting about the future plum work being able to guide the Tiffany Network.
That's because Zucker, 59, was recently at Redbird Capital's Media Investment Arm.
Home to Paramount Pictures, CBS and Paramount+ Streaming Arm, the new conglomerate will be run by David Ellison and former NBCuniversal CEO Jeff Shell. This is also Cardinale's best friend.
Despite this, Zucker appears to be outside the deal, sources said – and his “large-than-life” profile did not help his lawsuit, according to an insider.
“Jeff has no legal role,” cites many executives who are rumored to have been tapped to join the total company, according to a knowledgeable source.
Shell, who was expelled by NBCuniversal over allegations of inappropriate conduct with the CNBC Reporter in 2023, will run Skydance as president. CBS CEO George Cheeks could probably continue running the TV network. Former Netflix content chief Cindy Holland will lead the streaming arm, with Skydance film executive Dana Goldberg leading the studio.
The already stacked decks won't play a role in Zucker, according to a second source, adding that others will be “demotions” for the experienced executives who have hosted CNN and parent Warnermedia news and sports divisions from 2019 to 2021.
“The conditions for Ellison Redbird made it clear that there is no room for his realised character,” the source said.
Other sources familiar with the situation claimed that Zucker had not played a role in the new company, adding that he is the CEO of Redbird IMI and is committed to seeing it.
A Zucker representative did not respond to requests for comment. Skydance and Redbird declined to comment.
The mercury television mogul, known for his savvy programming skills, rose to CNN's reputation when he bent programming to the left. He also discussed major airtime with Donald Trump until 2017 when he reached his first presidency. In 2020, CNN was the most notable ever as Trump's first term came to an end.
Previously, as CEO of NBCUniversal, Zucker has become a must-see celebrity interviews and outdoor rock concert reviews, whether he pioneered NBC's “Today” shows to modern reality TV with shows such as “Fear Factor” and Trump's “The Apprentice.”
But for those not in Zucker's good bounty, he can escape as a “vindictive tyrant,” a source told the Post. The news outlet calls him “Network Napoleon,” “The King and the Kingmaker,” and “tactical genius.”
Zucker is currently the top executive of Redbird Imi, a joint venture between Redbird Capital and International Media Investments, and is supported by the United Arab Emirates. He has invested in production companies with a small investment, including acquiring a stake in Media Res, the studio behind Apple TV+'s hit series The Morning Show.
His biggest deal was the $1.45 billion acquisition of All3Media, the UK's largest independent production company. But his biggest mistake was in the headlines. Last year, Zucker tried to buy London's Daily Telegraph and audience, but withdrew after British leaders balked their reliance on Emirati's supporters.
“Zucker hasn't done anything major for a while,” said one media executive. “He wants to run a media company again.”
Media executives and Hollywood agents who know Zucker speculated that the 59-year-old would like to return to the spotlight and would enjoy making a comeback as head of CNN. In 2023, the post reported that executives were interested in buying CNN amid rumors of sales and steering a struggling news network.
“Jeff wants to run CNN, which will be the ultimate revenge,” a source told the post.
“I'll never count him,” the person added, returning to the media food chain, referring to Zucker's grit.
Last year, Ellison's Skydance and the media giant. FilmMagic
The network owned by Warner Bros Discovery was not on the market, but these rumors have been renewed as media conglomerates make structural changes to the organization, leading to the separation of cable channels, including CNN, TNT, TBS and more.
It is unclear whether this will lead to sales, but Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Theslav said in December that he will set up the company for “potential strategic opportunities.”
Sources speculate that one such scenario could be a massive merger between the newly formed Skydance-Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. But for now, Skydance and Redbird Brass are focusing on hitting the ground running when the Paramount deal is green light.
“They are being wary of gun jumps as Ellison and Redbird prepare for the merger,” the knowledgeable source added that they are “busy at meetings” to identify “cost cuts” as the deal progresses.
The deal faces major hurdles, including a $20 billion lawsuit by President Trump against CBS for “60 minutes” between former vice president and then-democratic presidential challenger Kamala Harris. Trump claimed that the news show “lookedly edited” the interview to make Harris look better.
In February, “60 Minutes” released unedited tapes and transcripts amid pressure from Trump and Federal Communications Commission chair Brendanker to decide whether the merger could go on.
Since then, Shell and current Paramount boss Shari Redstone have put pressure on the network to resolve the lawsuit with Trump, sources told the Post.
Brass and staff at CBS News balked at the concept of settlement with Trump and expressed their concerns even if Kerr opened the investigation into Harris's edit and opened it for public comments.
Meanwhile, the New York City Public Pension Fund has been sued to block the Skydance merger agreement. Due to its exclusive terms, Paramount did not consider the bids of rivals claiming it was worth $8.8 billion from the investment consortium Project Rise Partners.
Now, Delaware Court judges are considering whether to force Paramount to consider a last-minute offer.
