David is Goliath

Team Trump may still end up with friendlier media coverage in the near future. That’s just one of the outcomes of the now certain media mega-merger. The Hollywood Reporter: That’s All? Team Paramount Nabs Warner Bros. With Only Minor Concessions to States.

+ “The Ellison family’s ties to President Trump — which included a dinner that David Ellison hosted in April ‘honoring the Trump White House’ — have made many Democrats and a sizable contingent in Hollywood wary of his growing power. His empire will now span CNN and CBS News; HBO, MTV, BET, Comedy Central and TNT; the Paramount

+ and HBO Max streaming services; and two of Hollywood’s oldest movie studios. Put another way, Mr. Ellison will soon have Batman, Harry Potter, Captain Kirk, Wonder Woman, Ethan Hunt, Maverick and SpongeBob SquarePants reporting to him.” The ‘Kid’ Takes Over: David Ellison Becomes a Hollywood Colossus.

+ Nieman Lab: David Ellison will get control of CNN after all (and don’t pretend an ‘independent editorial board’ will mean otherwise).

+ Press Freedom Groups Demand David Ellison Back CNN Lawsuit Against Trump White House Ban. (Between Paramount and Warner Bros, there must still be a laugh-track machine available.)