Shari Redstone sells Paramount over views on Israel coverage

In early July 2025, Shari Redstone, at 71 years old, closed the sale of Paramount Media to Skydance Media for $8 billion in a pivotal career move. This decision came after many years of Redstone fighting to take control of her family's media empire, which was created by her father, Sumner Redstone. Throughout her career, she faced challenges, including underestimation from her father, executives, and romantic partners, leading to her struggles with gaining both authority and recognition within the company. Notably, Redstone became the controlling shareholder in December 2019, during a time when Paramount held a valuation of over $25 billion. The final decision to sell was influenced heavily by the ongoing geopolitical situation, particularly the October 7, 2024, Hamas attack on Israel, which led her to reevaluate her position and priorities regarding the media representation of Israel. Despite attempts to reform CBS News and confront perceived anti-Israel bias within the network, Redstone became disillusioned with coverage that appeared increasingly negative towards Israel. She had believed that through legal channels, such as Donald Trump's lawsuits against CBS, there might be a chance for redemption in coverage. However, continuous reports and features seemed to reaffirm a bias against Israel rather than change it, culminating in an overall perception of hostility toward her homeland. The October Hamas attack, which claimed around 1,200 Israeli lives, served as a breaking point for Redstone, signaling it was time to relinquish control over an organization that she felt could no longer represent her values. Redstone's relationship with CBS was further complicated by controversies surrounding the network's editorial choices, amidst her personal battle with cancer and criticism over her responses to allegations made by Trump regarding his portrayal by CBS during the 2024 election. She faced backlash for settling the lawsuit with Trump for $60 million, accused of bias by CBS in favor of a Democratic candidate. This settlement drew criticism from peers who felt it undermined her standing as a leader, raising questions about her choices in a rapidly changing media environment. Following the completion of the sale, Redstone expressed a desire for personal freedom and a wish to support causes she stands for, particularly relating to promoting a positive narrative around Israel and addressing antisemitism. The sale marks both a significant transition in her personal and professional life and reflects broader concerns about media biases that could impact public perception and influence the political discourse surrounding sensitive geopolitical issues.