Overview:
Paramount Skydance, the newly merged industry heavyweight, is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Bari Weiss’s digital media venture, The Free Press, valued between $100 million to $250 million. This potential acquisition could reshape its news offerings as the company already owns a vast media portfolio—ranging from streaming platforms like Paramount+ and Pluto TV to cable powerhouses such as MTV, CBS, and Nickelodeon. The move signals a strategic pivot toward ideologically diverse, subscription-based news content amid broader expansion efforts.
Paramount Skydance—the new media powerhouse born from the merger of Skydance Media and Paramount Global—appears poised for its first major expansion in news. They are in acquisition talks with The Free Press, the digital news outlet founded by Bari Weiss.
According to multiple reports, including Reuters and Financial Times, Skydance is in early negotiations to acquire The Free Press. The discussions center on a deal valued between $100 million and $250 million.
The Free Press has built a following on its subscription-based model—offering investigative reporting, podcasts, and events. By mid-2025, it had amassed around 155,000 paying subscribers.
Why This Matters for Skydance / Paramount
This potential move would mark a strategic leap into ideological niche news. It would complement the company’s already vast media holdings. After completing its $8.4 billion merger in August 2025, Paramount Skydance became the owner of streaming services like Paramount+, Pluto TV, and CBS News 24/7. They also own cable networks such as MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Showtime, VH1, CMT, and the Paramount Pictures film studio.
Additionally, the merged company oversees Paramount Media Networks, Paramount Skydance Studios, and production verticals like Skydance Animation. They also oversee Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies. Furthermore, there are emerging ventures in video games and consumer experiences.
Strategic and Regulatory Context
The merger’s FCC approval came with conditions aimed at safeguarding ideological balance and journalistic integrity. These include the appointment of a two-year ombudsman for bias complaints.
Analysts suggest that acquiring The Free Press not only diversifies the company’s offerings. It also demonstrates a commitment to content that appeals to underserved, ideologically distinct audiences. Still, concerns persist about media consolidation, press freedom, and regulatory influence.
Sources
- Reuters – Skydance in early talks to acquire The Free Press (Reuters)
- Financial Times – Bari Weiss’s $200mn Skydance moonshot (Financial Times, Nieman Lab)
- New York Post / Times of India – Paramount to buy Free Press for up to $200M (New York Post, The Times of India)
- TheWrap – Bari Weiss set for top role at CBS News as Paramount finalizes Free Press deal (TheWrap)
- Investing / AInvest – analysis of Free Press valuation and acquisition implications (AInvest)
- FCC merger approval coverage – Business Insider and AP (Business Insider, AP News)
- Reuters / The Guardian – overview of Paramount Skydance merger and legacy channels (Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Wikipedia, Paramount)
- Wikipedia – breakdown of Paramount Skydance’s business divisions (Wikipedia)
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