House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin invited Paramount Skydance ($PSKY) CEO David Ellison to a transcribed interview as Democrats intensify scrutiny of the company's planned $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery ($WBD). Raskin said the committee is examining antitrust enforcement, media consolidation and allegations of political interference, and asked Ellison to contact committee staff by August 26.
- Raskin said Ellison has not responded to four letters sent over the past 12 months concerning Paramount, CBS and the Warner acquisition.
- The letter cites concerns that combining Paramount and Warner would place CBS and CNN, major film studios and multiple streaming platforms under common ownership.
- Paramount's federal lobbying disclosures have specifically listed its Warner Bros. Discovery takeover, antitrust and competition, broadcast-license transfers and media regulation among lobbying issues.
- One recent in-house disclosure reported $1.79 million in quarterly lobbying expenses and listed Congress, the FCC and Executive Office of the President among government entities contacted across its lobbying activity.
Relevant Companies
- Paramount Skydance ($PSKY) — Its proposed acquisition and federal lobbying are directly under scrutiny.
- Warner Bros. Discovery ($WBD) — The company is the acquisition target in the $110 billion transaction.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. This article may be updated as more details become available.
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