David Ellisons Vision for CNN: Same C.E.O and No Bari Weiss, for Now.

For months, skeptics of Paramount’s $111 billion deal for Warner Bros.Discovery have wondered how much David Ellison, the tech scion in charge of the combined company, might want to change CNN.As it turns out: not much.

For now, at least.Mr.Ellison is working out a deal to keep Mark Thompson, CNN’s current chief executive, in place as the network’s top leader for at least the next year, according to two people with knowledge of the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details were not yet finalized.Under the plan taking shape, Bari Weiss, the contrarian critic of mainstream media that Mr.

Ellison picked to run CBS News, would remain in her current role as the deal closes.For the time being, she is not expected to take on editorial or operational oversight of CNN, according to one of those people and another person familiar with the negotiations.Ms.

Weiss retains the support of the Ellison family and her role could eventually change, the two people added.Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros.Discovery will create a media giant that places CBS News and CNN, the streaming services HBO and Paramount+ and two major movie studios, Warner Bros.

and Paramount Pictures, under the same corporate umbrella.The deal is scheduled to close next week after a legal battle that delayed its completion for several months.In the negotiations, which are ongoing, Mr.

Thompson has long insisted on preserving his authority to operate the network independently, without interference from other executives.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe....