CNN generates ~$700M in profit for Paramount
Kara Swisher noted CNN is profitable at roughly $700 million, complicating any Skydance settlement that might involve spinning off the cable network.
Snapshot · Pivot
Michigan's Primary Drama, the DOJ's Next Boss, and Hillary Clinton Co-Hosts
Explore episode
Aug 7, 2026
Where this was said
Predictions: House Takeover, Senate Odds, and Paramount-Skydance Settlement
At 1:12:33 · chapter starts 1:10:48
Both hosts offer formal predictions. Clinton goes first: Democrats will retake the House, and she gives them slightly better than 50-50 odds on the Senate — a more optimistic take than most conventional wisdom. Kara's prediction concerns the Paramount-Skydance antitrust case: David Ellison's op-ed in the New York Times hasn't helped his case with Democratic AGs, the judge moved the trial from November to March, and by October a delay fee kicks in. Kara predicts a settlement is economically inevitable given Paramount's approximately $880 billion in debt, Oracle stock's decline, and CNN's $700 million profitability complicating any spin-off. Clinton pushes back gently, noting the delay fee structure gives Ellison some room, but agrees the economic logic points toward settlement. The discussion naturally folds back into broader AI market uncertainty and the need for governance, landing on a shared note of pragmatic urgency. [1] — Kara Swisher "Paramount Skydance antitrust trial pushed to March: The Paramount-Skydance antitrust trial, sought to begin in November, was set by the jud…" 1:11:11 [2] — Kara Swisher "CNN generates ~$700M in profit for Paramount: Kara Swisher noted CNN is profitable at roughly $700 million, complicating any Skydance settl…" 1:12:33
Paramount Skydance antitrust trial pushed to March
The Paramount-Skydance antitrust trial, sought to begin in November, was set by the judge for March, with Kara Swisher predicting a settlement before then.
Paramount carries $880B in debt
Kara Swisher cited Paramount's approximately $880 billion debt load as a key financial pressure shaping the Skydance acquisition dynamics.
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