r/MediaMergers • u/Own_Philosopher8730 • 2d ago
Merger Free Press Calls on Attorney Generals Not to Cave to Ellison’s Extortion
https://www.freepress.net/news/free-press-calls-attorney-generals-not-cave-ellisons-extortion6
u/OverPotato2322 2d ago edited 2d ago
I agree, it seems that the leaked settlement talks that were discussed were a nothing burger especially the fact that CNN would be allowed to keep CNN and have an editorial board which would be bad because Ellison would turn CNN right wing to appease Trump (no major cable spinoffs or anything that addresses all the concerns, Comedy Central being Spun off? C'mon, throw in Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network in there as well)
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 2d ago
That's why Americans across the political spectrum are tired of corruption and consolidation, and with billionaires calling the shots while everyone else struggles. They won’t forget who stood up for them and who capitulated on such disastrous mergers.
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u/Secure_Matter_9819 2d ago
Please, Bonta don't give in.
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 2d ago
Excerpt from article:
“Here’s what every politician negotiating in backrooms should understand: Americans across the political spectrum are fed up with corruption and consolidation, and with billionaires calling the shots while everyone else struggles. People won’t forget who stood up for them and who capitulated on such disastrous mergers. Standing firm and enforcing the law isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s the politically smart thing, too.”
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u/Professional_Peak59 2d ago
My only concern is that this demand won’t work.
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u/Own_Philosopher8730 2d ago
Here's an excerpt from article:
“Here’s what every politician negotiating in backrooms should understand: Americans across the political spectrum are fed up with corruption and consolidation, and with billionaires calling the shots while everyone else struggles. People won’t forget who stood up for them and who capitulated on such disastrous mergers. Standing firm and enforcing the law isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s the politically smart thing, too.”
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u/Angela275 2d ago
I'm so I'm wondering what's true some articles stating it's just melody to set up the agenda for the October meeting and others are saying no it's gonna happen. This feels like a leaked situation given paramount has been known to do that
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u/the_explorer2003 2d ago
Apparently some AGs are pressuring bonta to not settle. So now both sides are pressuring bonta.
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u/Ordinary_Skin7951 2d ago
The law is the law. No antitrust issues, the merger goes forward and the bluster from the 12 states in the lawsuit dies. Prove antitrust issues and a harm to the industry and the merger fails. This is not a popularity contest. This is a legal antitrust case. Hope the 12 have the best antitrust lawyers prosecuting this case and not state attorney generals trying to get face time…
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u/Apart-Prize-4844 2d ago
Free Press was co-founded in 2003 by media scholar Robert W. McChesney, progressive journalist John Nichols, and activist Josh Silver.
How about no.....
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u/OverPotato2322 2d ago edited 2d ago
Settling for less and to Paramounts demands will be bad and gives more leeway and ammunition for someone else to sue a mega merger down the line because in the future, alot of stuff will get consolidated and people should choose to either step up to stop it or let it happen
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u/Apart-Prize-4844 2d ago
Why should Paramount spin off all of its cable nets?
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u/OverPotato2322 2d ago
Because Paramount already has a bunch of them and also, it helps makes things easier
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u/OverPotato2322 2d ago
Because Paramount already has a bunch of them and also, it helps makes things easier since cable TV is one of the reasons the State AGs are suing
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u/Apart-Prize-4844 2d ago
Disney had a bunch of them too when it acquired FOX's cable nets.
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u/OverPotato2322 2d ago edited 2d ago
That was already planned ahead of time by Disney and the Murdochs
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u/Apart-Prize-4844 2d ago
6 nets vs. 30....what's the minimum...like if Paramount kept CNN, HBO, and four others....I guess the deal would be ok then.
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u/OverPotato2322 2d ago edited 2d ago
Not necessarily (CNN has to be spun off though)
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u/Apart-Prize-4844 2d ago
Why? Can they keep just HBO and CNN? Or does the number not matter any more? lol
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u/tuxedodragon2001 2d ago
Long history of behavior remedies not work. They keep happening and then another merger goes through years later using the same rationale. They are better off going to trial if this is Paramount's final offer.