Skydance merger raises concerns among CBS insiders as it introduces a 'watchdog' to the news division.
In a significant move for the entertainment industry, Skydance Media has finalised its merger with Paramount Global, taking control of Paramount's film studios, CBS television network, and Paramount+ streaming service. The merger, worth an estimated $8 billion, was approved on Thursday.
David Ellison, CEO of Skydance, will serve as chairman and CEO of the combined company, with Jeff Shell as president. The merger aims to strengthen Paramount's competitive position in streaming and bolster sports broadcasting assets like CBS Sports and NFL partnerships.
However, the merger has also sparked discussions about changes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Contrary to some reports, there is no available evidence that Skydance has committed to dismantling Paramount's DEI initiatives, as stated in some sources.
In a letter, Skydance did reinforce that DEI-based hiring and race or gender-based benchmarks would no longer be used. This shift has raised questions about the future of DEI programs within the combined company.
CBS, a part of Paramount, has a history of embracing DEI goals. In the past, CBS President George Cheeks required 40 percent of writers on primetime shows to be BIPOC during the 2021-2022 season. CBS also instituted a policy that half the contestants in reality programming be BIPOC after George Floyd's death in 2020.
In a move to address perceived bias at CBS News, Skydance has announced it will create an ombudsman role. This role is not new to CBS; in the past, an ombudsman has been used for both internal and external complaints.
The merger has also brought attention to incidents of bias at CBS News. For instance, during the 2024 vice presidential debate, moderator Margaret Brennan cut off Vice President J.D. Vance's mic during a heated exchange on immigration. CBS News has faced accusations of liberal and anti-Trump bias.
Recently, CBS settled a lawsuit with Trump for $16 million over its 2024 "60 Minutes" interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. This settlement adds to the ongoing discussions about the network's impartiality.
In an effort to promote diversity within the industry, initiatives like the Writers Mentoring Program have been launched. This program, which began in 2021, selected seven writers out of 1000 applicants - none of them were White men. Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i, EVP of Entertainment Diversity and Inclusion at ViacomCBS, stated that the program helps provide opportunities and build relationships with network executives and showrunners.
In a 2018 New York Times interview, "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert admitted to refusing writing samples from men to diversify his team. This admission highlights the industry's ongoing efforts to address diversity and inclusion issues.
As the entertainment landscape evolves, the impact of the Skydance-Paramount merger on DEI policies and practices will be closely watched. CBS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global, valued at an estimated $8 billion, will also influence the financial aspects of both companies in business operations. With David Ellison as chairman and CEO of the combined entity, Paramount's competitive position in streaming and sports broadcasting assets will benefit from strengthened resources.
As the combined company continues to focus on diversifying its workforce, the move to eliminate DEI-based hiring and race or gender-based benchmarks has raised concerns about the future of such programs. This shift in policy opens new questions about the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the newly merged entertainment conglomerate.
