The Town with Matthew Belloni cover image

The Town with Matthew Belloni

New Trouble for the Paramount Sale

Feb 10, 2025
Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter, joins to unravel the tangled web of the Paramount Global sale to Skydance Media. They discuss unexpected hurdles, including a lawsuit tied to Donald Trump that complicates the deal. The conversation also highlights implications for future Hollywood mergers and the shifting dynamics amid regulatory scrutiny. Additionally, Shaw offers insights into the Oscar race, especially focusing on the buzz around the film Anora and what it could mean for this awards season.
33:28

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The complicated Paramount sale has become entangled in political disputes, influencing corporate decisions and the merger landscape in Hollywood.
  • Donald Trump's lawsuit over a CBS interview is creating immense pressure on Paramount's Shari Redstone, complicating the sale's resolution.

Deep dives

Sherry Redstone's Paramount Sale Challenges

The sale of Paramount, a deal valued at $8 billion and orchestrated by Sherry Redstone, has become embroiled in complex politics due to the involvement of Donald Trump. Despite her long-standing friendship with Trump and recent criticisms from him regarding CBS News edits, the review process has become contentious. Brendan Carr, the FCC commissioner, has opened inquiries impacting the sale, complicating Redstone's objectives. Navigating the demands of media licensing and avoiding legal disputes has put immense pressure on Redstone to resolve issues swiftly, possibly even considering settlements with Trump's team.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner