MSNBC says states cleared a hurdle for an '$81 billion' merger; The Hill says 12 states settled over a 'purchase'
Paramount Skydance has settled the lawsuit US states brought over its deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns CNN. Three reports describe the deal three ways. Only one names a condition meant to protect newsrooms, and none says what that condition can enforce.
What happened. Paramount Skydance settled the lawsuit US states brought over its deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, The Hill, MSNBC and Reuters reported on Monday 21 September. The Hill says the two sides announced it together at a press conference in Los Angeles.
Three reports, three accounts.
| The Hill | MSNBC | Reuters | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word for the deal | "purchase" in the text, "merger" in the headline | "merger" | "fusão" (merger) |
| Value | not given | "$81 billion" | not given |
| States | 12, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta | not given | not given |
| Conditions | not in the text we hold | a monitoring board for CNN and CBS News | not given |
| Frame | states sued "to block" the deal | "clearing key hurdle" | "grande passo" (big step) to completion |
Why the word matters. A purchase names a buyer: Paramount takes over the company that owns CNN. A merger reads as two companies joining.
Who is missing. Two of three reports frame the settlement as progress for the deal. None quotes a CNN or CBS News journalist, a worker or a viewer.
What is not settled. - What the monitoring board can enforce, who sits on it and for how long. MSNBC reports it in one sentence and says only what it is "meant to" do. - What the $81 billion counts. MSNBC does not say. - Whether any other review of the deal is still open. No report we hold says. - We hold only a headline or opening lines from The Hill and Reuters.
What this is about. US states went to court to stop Paramount Skydance from taking over Warner Bros. Discovery, and they have now settled. The deal decides who owns CNN and CBS News.
How it got here. Warner Bros. Discovery was formed in April 2022, when AT&T spun off WarnerMedia and combined it with Discovery. It owns the Warner Bros. film studio, HBO and CNN. Paramount Skydance was formed in August 2025, when Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, completed its takeover of Paramount Global. It owns Paramount Pictures and CBS, including CBS News. Paramount then moved to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. The Hill says 12 states sued earlier this year to block the deal.
Who is involved, and why. - Paramount Skydance is the buyer, according to The Hill. - Warner Bros. Discovery is the company being bought. - The state attorneys general are each state's chief legal officer. They can bring antitrust suits on their own, separately from the federal government. The Hill says California Attorney General Rob Bonta led the coalition.
What is at stake. Antitrust law asks whether a deal reduces competition. Here it also asks about the news. The deal would put CNN and CBS News, two of the largest US news organisations, under one owner. The same owner would also hold two major film studios. Settlements in merger cases usually trade conditions for dropping the challenge. What those conditions are, and whether anyone can enforce them, decides what the states won.
Where it stands. The settlement was announced on Monday 21 September. MSNBC reports that it includes a monitoring board for the two newsrooms. No report we hold gives the other terms or says when the deal will close.
What is being argued about
- Is it a merger of two companies, or Paramount's purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery?
- What the monitoring board for CNN and CBS News can actually enforce
- What the '$81 billion' figure counts
- Whose voices are missing: newsroom staff, workers and viewers
One settlement, three descriptionsSide by side
| Outlet | Word for the deal | Value | States | Condition named |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hill | "planned purchase" (text); "merger" (headline) | not given | 12, led by California | not given |
| MSNBC | "merger" | "$81 billion" | not given | a monitoring board "meant to safeguard the journalistic independence of CNN and CBS News" |
| Reuters | "fusão" (merger) | not given | not given | not given |
We hold only a headline or opening lines from The Hill and Reuters. 'Not given' means it is not in the text we hold.
Sources
The Hill
The Hill
🇺🇸US ·
digital · independent
Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at The Hill →
What we have measured
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
MSNBC
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Reuters
Reuters
🇺🇸US ·
wire · independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at Reuters →
What we have measured
Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The Hill
Centre
estimate · not a score
The Hill
🇺🇸US ·
digital · independent
Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at The Hill →
What we have measured
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
MSNBC
Left
estimate · not a score
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Reuters
Centre
estimate · not a score
Reuters
🇺🇸US ·
wire · independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at Reuters →
What we have measured
Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
How the news arrived on MondayTimeline
- 2026-09-2118:24 published time of The Hill's report The Hill 12 states settle with Paramount Skydance over its 'planned purchase' of Warner Bros. Discovery 12 statesNames Rob Bonta as leading the coalition
- 2026-09-2118:27 published time of MSNBC's report MSNBC Settlement is 'clearing key hurdle' for the deal and includes a monitoring board for CNN and CBS News $81 billionDoes not say what the figure counts
- 2026-09-2118:41 published time of Reuters' report Reuters Settlement is a 'grande passo' (big step) towards completing the mergerHeadline only
Publication times in UTC, from each report.
Sources
The Hill
The Hill
🇺🇸US ·
digital · independent
Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at The Hill →
What we have measured
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
MSNBC
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Reuters
Reuters
🇺🇸US ·
wire · independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at Reuters →
What we have measured
Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The Hill
Centre
estimate · not a score
The Hill
🇺🇸US ·
digital · independent
Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at The Hill →
What we have measured
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
MSNBC
Left
estimate · not a score
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Reuters
Centre
estimate · not a score
Reuters
🇺🇸US ·
wire · independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at Reuters →
What we have measured
Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The bias in this coverageBias
A deal cleared, not a market changed
Two of three reports frame the settlement as progress towards closing the deal. Only one says the states sued to block it, and only one says what a condition is meant to protect. None mentions staff, viewers or competing broadcasters.
2 reports framing it as progress for the deal
3 reports calling it a merger in the headline
0 reports mentioning jobs or staff
Scored without the mastheads. Where the two passes differ, both are kept.
Sources
The Hill
The Hill
🇺🇸US ·
digital · independent
Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at The Hill →
What we have measured
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
MSNBC
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Reuters
Reuters
🇺🇸US ·
wire · independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at Reuters →
What we have measured
Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The Hill
Centre
estimate · not a score
The Hill
🇺🇸US ·
digital · independent
Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at The Hill →
What we have measured
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
MSNBC
Left
estimate · not a score
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Reuters
Centre
estimate · not a score
Reuters
🇺🇸US ·
wire · independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at Reuters →
What we have measured
Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Claims and verdicts
true
Paramount Skydance settled the lawsuit brought by US states over its deal for Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Hill, MSNBC and Reuters all report the settlement, and The Hill says both sides announced it on Monday. Only The Hill gives the number of states (12) and names California Attorney General Rob Bonta as the coalition's leader.
Checked against 3 sources:
The Hill
Centre
estimate · not a score
The Hill
🇺🇸US ·
digital · independent
Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at The Hill →
What we have measured
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
MSNBC
Left
estimate · not a score
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Reuters
Centre
estimate · not a score
Reuters
🇺🇸US ·
wire · independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at Reuters →
What we have measured
Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
unverified
The settlement sets up a monitoring board to protect the journalistic independence of CNN and CBS News.
Only MSNBC reports the monitoring board. The Hill's and Reuters' reports as we hold them do not describe what the settlement requires.
Checked against 1 source:
MSNBC
Left
estimate · not a score
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
unverified
The deal is worth $81 billion.
Only MSNBC gives this figure, and it does not say what the figure counts. The Hill calls the deal a 'purchase' and Reuters calls it a 'merger', and neither gives a value.
Checked against 3 sources:
MSNBC
Left
estimate · not a score
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The Hill
Centre
estimate · not a score
The Hill
🇺🇸US ·
digital · independent
Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at The Hill →
What we have measured
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Reuters
Centre
estimate · not a score
Reuters
🇺🇸US ·
wire · independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at Reuters →
What we have measured
Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Who wrote it
D
Dominick Mastrangelo
The Hill
The Hill
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Actor named
No actor named for who let reporters back in×1
Asserted, not attributed
bipartisan and its purpose stated flat, no source×1
Framing verb
describes the FCC chief as having 'swatted away' the concerns, and labels the ad a PSA only as 'billed'×1
Label attributed
the PSA label is presented as a claim, not as fact×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
2 disputed4 unverified2 true
From 73 reports we hold under this byline, at
The Hill. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating.
Their full record →
The bylines on the reports this story is built from. Hover one for what our passes have measured on their reporting.
· 2 reports we hold carry no byline — we do not invent one.
Coverage, outlet by outlet
Reuters
Centre
estimate · not a score
Reuters
🇺🇸US ·
wire · independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at Reuters →
What we have measured
Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
— independent
Paramount chega a acordo com Estados dos EUA em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros
Calls it a merger and says the settlement is a 'big step' towards completing it. We hold only the headline.
Deal completion frame: The settlement is framed as a big step towards completing the deal. — “em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros”
Investor frame: The settlement is a big step towards closing the deal. — “em grande passo para conclusão de fusão com Warner Bros”
Read it at Reuters →
https://www.reuters.com/pt/negocio/M3HNSPPPQRMSNH4XIDAB5KOCKE-2026-09-2…
MSNBC
Left
estimate · not a score
MSNBC
🇺🇸US ·
TV/radio · independent
States settle suit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at MSNBC →
What we have measured
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
— independentThe only report that names a condition: a monitoring board 'meant to safeguard' the independence of CNN and CBS News. It is also the only one to give a value, '$81 billion', but does not say what that figure counts.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement Monday that effectively paves the way for Paramount’s mega merger acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with some new commitments. The $81 billion blockbuster deal will bring together two of Hollywood’s oldest studios, key TV networks like CBS and CNN and streaming platforms HBO Max and Paramount+, as well as decades of libraries with titles ranging from “Harry Potter” to “Top Gun.” But terms of Monday’s agreement include what Bonta called “court-enforceable” requirements for Skydance-owned Paramount to increase domestic production
Deal completion frame: The settlement is framed as a hurdle cleared for the deal, and the price leads the headline. — “clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal”
Purpose stated flat: Says what the monitoring board is 'meant to' do without saying who claims it will. — “a monitoring board meant to safeguard the journalistic independence of CNN and CBS News”
Purpose stated flat: States what the monitoring board is meant to do, with no source for that aim and no sceptic quoted. — “a monitoring board meant to safeguard the journalistic independence of CNN and CBS News”
Investor frame: The headline frames the settlement as clearing a hurdle for the deal, and leads with its price. — “clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal”
Read it at MSNBC →
https://www.ms.now/news/states-settle-suit-over-paramount-warner-merger…
The Hill
Centre
estimate · not a score
The Hill
🇺🇸US ·
digital · independent
Paramount settles with states that sued over Warner Brothers Discovery merger
Open this report in The AI Times →
Read it at The Hill →
What we have measured
Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1
Outlet profile in The AI Times →
— independentThe only report that gives the number of states (12), names California Attorney General Rob Bonta as their leader and says they sued to block the deal. It calls the deal a 'purchase'.
Paramount has reached an agreement to settle with 12 states that sued the media conglomerate earlier this year over its planned purchase of Warner Brothers Discovery, the two sides announced on Monday. During a press conference in Los Angeles, California Attorney General Rob Bonta — who led the coalition of state AGs suing to block…
Merger or purchase: The headline says 'merger', but the body calls the deal a 'purchase' of one company by the other. — “its planned purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery”
Whose voice: The states' side is named through the attorney general who led the suit. — “California Attorney General Rob Bonta — who led the coalition of state attorneys general”
Measure of deal: The body calls it a purchase, not a merger, which makes Paramount the buyer. — “its planned purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery”
Who is named acting: Names the official who led the states' suit. — “California Attorney General Rob Bonta — who led the coalition of state attorneys general suing to block”
Read it at The Hill →
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/6102198-paramount-settlements-states…