Paula Reid Expected To Depart CNN And Join MS NOW; Move Comes Amid Paramount’s Pending Acquisition Of Warner Bros. Discovery

UPDATED: Paula Reid is expected to depart CNN, where she has served as the network’s chief legal affairs correspondent, according to sources familiar with her plans.

Reid is also expected to join MS NOW, which has been building up is newsroom since its split from Comcast, according to a source familiar.

An MS NOW spokesperson said, “As a general matter of practice, we don’t comment on personnel matters. As everyone in Washington knows, Paula Reid is an exceptional reporter, and any news organization would be fortunate to showcase her journalism.”

Reid’s exit plans come in advance of Paramount’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which has already created consternation within the CNN newsroom over the ultimate plans for their pending new owner.

Status first reported on Reid’s plans to exit, coming as she faced a contract renewal. Variety first reported on her expected move to MS NOW.

CNN declined to comment.

Reid joined CNN from CBS News in 2021 as senior legal affairs correspondent, and was named chief legal affairs correspondent in 2023.

At CBS News, Reid covered the White House and the Justice Department. Among other stories, she led the coverage of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Paramount CEO David Ellison has said that he believes “in the independence that needs to be maintained” at CNN, but there’s considerable uncertainty over what kinds of changes are in the works for the network and who will lead it. At CBS News, Ellison named Bari Weiss, the founder of the Free Press, to serve as editor in chief, who has overhauled CBS Evening News and fired the top leadership of 60 Minutes and three of its correspondents, Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega and Scott Pelley.

The Paramount-WBD merger is expected to close in the third quarter.