Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show returned this week after Disney executives backpedaled on a short-lived suspension that elicited a tidal wave of backlash. But the battle is far from over. Major station groups Nexstar and Sinclair are still refusing to carry the program on their ABC affiliates, effectively blocking it from nearly a quarter of American households. Oliver and Jon break down how the FCC’s targeting of Kimmel ended up backfiring, why even some conservatives are defending his right to speak, and what Disney could be up against next if Nexstar pulls off its bid to acquire TEGNA. One thing is clear: the Kimmel fight is only just beginning.

They also cover the revolt inside CNN’s newsroom over its handling of an on-air story featuring far-right conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec, and how mainstream outlets often miss or downplay the cultural impact of internet personalities.

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Is Jimmy Kimmel done at ABC? That’s the question after the late-night host was suddenly pulled off the air following threats from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Jon and Oliver break down the forces behind Kimmel’s silencing and what comes next.

Also, aspiring media mogul David Ellison is looking to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, raising tensions inside CNN. Oliver and Jon take you behind-the-scenes at CNN and analyze the conservative reshaping of the media under Trump.

And finally, Business Insider has officially gone all-in on A.I. Will it boost efficiency? Absolutely. But will it also flood the journalism industry with errors and sameness?

That’s all for now, see you next Friday.

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0:00 The Jimmy Kimmel Controversy

3:10 Media's Response and Internal Reactions

6:43 The Broader Implications for Free Speech

18:38 The Role of Media Executives

27:41 David Ellison's Ambitious Takeover Plans

29:40 CNN's Uncertain Future Under New Leadership

31:07 The Impact on Warner Brothers Discovery

34:08 Financial Power of the Ellison Family

36:57 Potential Changes in Media Landscape

43:00 Business Insider's AI Policy

45:14 Implications of AI in Journalism

47:44 The Future of News Reporting

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Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s shocking death this week set off a wave of reactions across the media landscape. Oliver and Jon examine the viral spread of graphic footage on social media, how the left and right are reacting to the tragedy, and what the response could mean for America’s already heightened political tensions.

____________________________________________________________________

"Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios.

Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status.

Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, who powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status

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Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, who powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status

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Welcome to another edition of Power Lines. Here’s what Oliver and Jon are covering this week:

0:00 Intro

1:03 Google Bends the Knee

14:18 Reporting on Jay Penske's Hollywood Media Empire

22:41 CNN Poaches from WSJ

32:00 Analyzing Swift-Kelce Engagement Coverage

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This week on Power Lines…

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Welcome to another episode of Power Lines. This week, Oliver and Jon dive into:

The National Guard in DC – and MAGA media’s reaction. Let’s just say President Trump’s base seems to have moved on from their old “Don’t Tread on Me” mantra.

Alex Jones’ Infowars for sale (again) – as Jones is ordered to liquidate his assets to pay the families of Sandy Hook victims.

Taylor Swift’s podcast debut – where she announced a new album… but the reveal was a little underwhelming. Plus, the amount of brand bandwagoning is, frankly, gross. All that, plus a spirited debate over the best Taylor Swift album—featuring Jon’s pick for the one that nearly put him to sleep. We’re sure Swifties will respond with their trademark calm and kindness.

"Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios. Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status.

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On Thursday, Oliver had a front-row seat as David Ellison and his team of executives fielded questions during Skydance’s official takeover of Paramount. He takes us inside the room and breaks down the answers to key questions about how South Park will be handled, Jon Stewart’s contract status, the future of 60 Minutes, and who might end up running CBS News. He also shares a few intriguing tidbits from one-on-one conversations after the press conference that offer deeper insight into how the new leadership plans to approach Paramount’s biggest personalities and properties.

Plus: Sean Hannity has officially entered the MAGA Civil War, lashing out at former Trump loyalists who are now turning on him. His rant sounds an awful lot like a shot at the Rogans, Schulzes, and Joe Kernens of the world—and it’s clear he’s had enough.

Have a great weekend—we’ll catch you next week.

"Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios.

Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status.

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Welcome to another jam-packed episode of Power Lines by Status.

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In this latest episode of Power Lines, we're dissecting the seismic shifts rocking media and politics.

First,  the Washington Post, which is undergoing a dramatic reshaping under new opinion editor Adam O’Neal. Journalists and editors are being encouraged to take buyouts as Jeff Bezos seemingly shifts the paper's editorial direction. Is Bezos trying to appease Donald Trump to protect his other business interests by making the WaPo more conservative? Probably. Does that make him a bad steward? Probably. Does he care? Probably not. 

Then, the entertainment world is in an uproar. Stephen Colbert's The Late Show franchise is ending due to alleged financial constraints, a move met with widespread skepticism and outrage. We dive into the fiery reactions, including Jon Stewart's direct message to Paramount brass, Colbert's own questions about the reported $40 million annual loss, and South Park's pointed reference to Paramount "giving in to Trump" via Colbert's removal. 

Finally, the Jeffrey Epstein story continues to reverberate, but with a surprising silence from MAGA Media. A week after The Wall Street Journal's revelations about a birthday card from Donald Trump to Epstein, right-wing outlets have largely gone quiet. Oliver and Jon debate: Is this a calculated move? Will this scandal finally stick, or can Donald Trump walk away unscathed yet again?

Power Lines is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios.

Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status.

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