"No change in morale," the insider said. "Keep in mind the current situation is grim, so people see it as a matter of bad or worse."
Ellison’s Paramount is attempting to build a media empire of historic proportions by acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery for $111 billion. The European Union and the U.S.’s Justice Department have each signed off on the deal, with the final roadblock coming from an antitrust lawsuit led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Last week, a federal judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), temporarily blocking the companies from closing the deal until at least August 17. Paramount then agreed to delay the deal until next year in order for the lawsuit to play out in court.
PARAMOUNT-WBD MERGER ON HOLD AFTER JUDGE GRANTS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
"I've been through multiple CEOs," they continued. "I've seen very little change based on who is at the very top."
PARAMOUNT ADVISERS PUSH FOR CALIFORNIA EXIT AS STATE SUES TO BLOCK WARNER BROS DISCOVERY MERGER: REPORT
Thompson hasn't sparked internal strife the way Licht did, but sagging ratings, a confusing digital strategy and nonstop takeover rumors have caused continued dread within the company.
Things haven’t exactly gone smoothly at CBS News under Ellison, as Weiss — like Licht — has struggled to earn the trust of her staff, infuriating liberals with changes seemingly designed to make the network’s coverage less partisan.
CALIFORNIA AG BLASTS PARAMOUNT-WBD MERGER AS ‘ILLEGAL,’ SAYS THREAT TO LEAVE STATE IS ‘BLACKMAIL’ EFFORT
The Times also noted longtime executive Amy Entelis’ office has emerged as "something of a psychiatrist’s couch for anchors and correspondents, who often drop in to air their anxieties about the looming changes."
Paramount issued the following statement: "This merger is lawful, pro-competitive, and will benefit consumers, creators, workers, and the entertainment industry. We will continue to vigorously defend the transaction and will look forward to the hearings on the substance of the State AGs’ action."