Our Exclusive Sit-Down with CA AG Rob Bonta on the Lawsuit Threatening the Paramount-Warner Merger

Our Exclusive Sit-Down with CA AG Rob Bonta on the Lawsuit Threatening the Paramount-Warner Merger

On today’s episode:  California Attorney General Rob Bonta joins the show for an exclusive interview after filing a lawsuit to block David Ellison’s $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Bonta explains why he believes the deal violates antitrust law, the danger it poses to the media landscape, and addresses the elephant in the room: what happens to CNN and CBS News? After the interview, Jon and Oliver unpack Bonta’s comments, including what he said about a potential CNN spinoff, the structural remedies he could seek, and why CNN has become central to the legal fight. Plus: A special announcement—the first-ever Status Summit is coming to New York City on September 9, featuring candid conversations with Meredith Kopit Levien, Rebecca Kutler, David Remnick, Wendy McMahon, and more. Read these stories and more at https://www.status.news [https://www.status.news] 0:00 Intro 1:55 Interview with California AG Rob Bonta 25:34 Breaking Down AG Bonta’s Answers 41:20 Special Announcement from Status Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Crisis at “60 Minutes,” The Future of CNN, Tucker vs. Hannity, And Your Biggest Media Questions

On today’s episode: Jon and Oliver answer your biggest media questions, including whether David Ellison's looming takeover of CNN should worry journalists, who really holds more sway on the American right today, and whether legacy news brands can survive the digital era. Plus, the future of NBC News, Business Insider, the network evening newscast, and much more. 0:00 Intro 2:20 Has “60 Minutes” Stabilized? 7:40 Has Bari Weiss Made “CBS News” More Digital-Friendly? 11:03 Is There A Future for the Evening Newscast? 17:01 Will Things Really Be That Bad if Ellison Owns CNN? 26:01 What’s Next for NBC News? 32:58 Does Business Insider Have A Path to Prosperity? 37:48 Who Has More Influence: Tucker or Hannity? 43:45 Should Big Tech Do More to Help Journalism? 50:12 Which Legacy Media Organizations Would You Work For? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Why CNN Is Losing a Big Name, NPR's Huge Mistake, and Bari Weiss’ CBS Hits Grim New Low

On today’s episode:  Paula Reid, CNN's chief legal affairs correspondent, is leaving the network after growing uncomfortable with David Ellison’s impending takeover. Jon and Oliver break down exclusive reporting on what happened, and who else could follow her out the door. Next, NPR’s embarrassing false report that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was retiring, what went wrong inside the newsroom, and what it reveals about the outlet’s editorial process. Plus: MAGA media turns on Justice Amy Coney Barrett after the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling, and another brutal week for Bari Weiss’ CBS News as the network tries to spin a grim ratings picture. Read these stories and more at http://www.status.news [http://www.status.news] 0:00 Intro 1:41 Paula Reid is Leaving CNN. Who’s Next? 18:24 NPR’s Embarrassing False Report  27:04 MAGA Media Attacks Justice Barrett 34:06 Latest Ratings Data from Bari Weiss’ CBS News  44:21 Media Moment of the Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

‘CBS Mornings’ Ratings Freefall, Tucker Nukes Trump, and Zuckerberg’s Interview Duck

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On today’s episode:  Executives at CBS News are sounding the alarm over historically bad ratings for “CBS Mornings.” Oliver and Jon dive into the numbers and discuss Tony Dokoupil publicly distancing himself from Bari Weiss.  Then, Emily Sundberg’s interview with Mark Zuckerberg exposes the Meta billionaire’s preference to talk to dodge tough questions.  Also, Tucker Carlson has not only broken from the Republican Party, but he also has some choice words for Donald Trump.  Plus, Status makes its debut on the “Joe Rogan Experience,” which we highlight in our Media Moment of the Week. 0:00 Intro 1:11 CBS Mornings Hits Historic Low Ratings 11:02 Tony Dokoupil Distances Himself from Bari Weiss 15:29 Zuckerberg Hand Picks Softball Questions in Recent Interview 26:28 Tucker Carlson Calls Trump a “Bitch” 31:15 Media Moment of the Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Inside Bari Weiss' Private Meeting With CNN, Bezos' Shocking Comments on The WaPo, MAGA Media's Turn

CNN and CBS executives are beginning to compare notes as David Ellison's deal moves closer to reality, with senior leaders from both organizations holding integration meetings and weighing what a combined future could look like. Then, new reporting reveals what Jeff Bezos told Donald Trump behind closed doors about The Washington Post. Bezos reportedly described the paper as his worst investment and complained that its employees don't listen to him, raising fresh questions about his stewardship. Finally, conservative media figures are turning on Trump's Iran deal. From the Murdoch-owned Fox News and New York Post to Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and other prominent voices on the right, the backlash is raising questions about whether Trump's grip on conservative media is beginning to loosen. Plus, it's a new edition of Open Lines. Leave a question in the comments for a chance to be featured on next week's show! 0:00 Intro 1:22 CNN Presents to Bari Weiss and CBS News Ahead of Potential Merger 12:10 Kara Swisher Wants Out at CNN Before Ellison Takeover 18:40 Bezos Blasts WaPo Staff in Private Trump Meeting 30:11 MAGA Media Blasts Trump’s Iran Deal 43:47 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]