It's Official: Resident Evil Requiem Uses Sony's Brand-New PSSR Upscaler

 

# It's Official: Resident Evil Requiem Uses Sony's Brand-New PSSR Upscaler

**Published: February 28, 2026**

You know that feeling when you're playing a horror game, and you notice something so detailed it actually makes you stop and stare?

Maybe it's a strand of hair catching the light just right. Or the way a jacket fabric looks so real you can almost feel it.

That's the level of detail Capcom and Sony are talking about with Resident Evil Requiem—the ninth mainline entry in the survival horror franchise, released yesterday to critical acclaim . And it's not just a great game. It's a technical showcase for something brand new under the hood.

Sony has confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem is the first game to use an upgraded version of its PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaler on PS5 Pro . This isn't just a minor tweak. It's a fundamental overhaul of the AI upscaling technology, born from Sony's partnership with AMD on Project Amethyst .

Let me walk you through what this means, why it matters, and whether you should care about pixels and frame rates if you just want to survive whatever horrors await in the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center .

---

## The Short Version: What You Need to Know

**The game:** Resident Evil Requiem (Resident Evil 9) launched February 27, 2026, on PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, and PC .

**The technology:** Sony has rolled out an upgraded version of PSSR, its AI-powered upscaling technology exclusive to PS5 Pro . Resident Evil Requiem is the first game to feature it .

**The upgrade:** The new PSSR represents a "very different approach" to both the neural network and the overall algorithm, according to PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny . It's the result of Sony's Project Amethyst collaboration with AMD, with an additional six months of refinement specifically for PS5 Pro .

**The difference:** Early tests from Digital Foundry show the new PSSR dramatically closes the gap with NVIDIA's DLSS 4.5 and AMD's FSR 4 . The handling of fine details like hair and fabric textures is significantly improved over the original PSSR .

**What's coming:** A March system update will allow PS5 Pro owners to enable "Enhance PSSR Image Quality" in settings, applying the new upscaling to any game that already supports PSSR .

---

## What Is PSSR, and Why Does It Matter?

Before we get into the details of the upgrade, let's make sure we're on the same page about what PSSR actually is.

PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) is Sony's AI-powered upscaling technology, exclusive to PS5 Pro . It's similar in concept to NVIDIA's DLSS or AMD's FSR—techniques that render a game at a lower resolution (which is easier on the hardware) and then use AI to intelligently upscale it to a higher resolution, like 4K, while maintaining image quality .

**Why this matters:** Modern games, especially those with ray tracing, are incredibly demanding. Running them at native 4K with high frame rates is difficult even on powerful PCs. Upscaling is the solution that lets you have both visual fidelity and smooth performance.

**The original PSSR** launched with PS5 Pro and supported over 50 titles . But it had issues. Early adopters complained about blurry images and inconsistent performance . In some cases, games actually looked worse on PS5 Pro than on the base PS5 .

**The new PSSR** is designed to fix all that.

---

## The Upgrade: What's New

Mark Cerny himself announced the upgrade in a PlayStation Blog post, and his words are worth paying attention to.

"We've been hard at work on a new version of PSSR, which takes a very different approach to not only the neural network but also the overall algorithm," Cerny said . "We are happy to share that Resident Evil Requiem — shipping today — is the first title to use this more advanced PSSR, which is helping to keep both frame rate and image quality high" .

**The technical foundation:** This new PSSR comes from Sony's Project Amethyst partnership with AMD. The same underlying technology powers AMD's FSR 4 on PC . But Sony has spent an additional six months refining it specifically for PS5 Pro .

**What that means:** The new PSSR is essentially a console-optimized version of cutting-edge upscaling tech that PC gamers are just starting to experience.

**The patent angle:** A recently surfaced Sony patent reveals some of the thinking behind PSSR 2.0. The system can dynamically scale the AI's precision based on what's happening on screen . In complex scenes with explosions or many characters, it slightly lowers precision to maintain frame rate. When the load drops, precision comes back up for maximum clarity .

This means games don't need to drop internal resolution to keep performance stable—a massive breakthrough for console gaming.

---

## What Capcom Says: Hair, Fabric, and Immersion

Here's where it gets really interesting. Capcom's Masaru Ijuin, Senior Manager of Engine Development Support, explained how the upgraded PSSR allowed the team to push visual fidelity further than ever before .

"With Resident Evil Requiem, we focused on enhancing the presentation quality of the protagonist through an upgraded version of RE Engine to deepen the player's immersion in horror," Ijuin said .

Then he got into the technical details that make graphics nerds like me sit up and take notice:

"For example, each individual strand of hair and beard is rendered as a polygon, allowing it to move realistically in response to body motion and wind. The way light passes through his hair changes depending on how the strands of hair are overlapped as well. This detailed expression of texture is one of the many details that we would especially love for our fans to see" .

**The challenge:** These kinds of fine details—individual strands of hair, complex fabric textures—are notoriously difficult to upscale. Traditional upscaling methods often turn them into a blurry mess.

**The solution:** "The upgraded PSSR has allowed us to elevate our expressiveness by successfully processing these details and textural particularities, which are traditionally difficult to upscale because of their intricacy" .

Sony published comparison screenshots showing the original PSSR next to the new version. The difference is subtle but real—strands of hair look slightly more defined, edges sharper .

---

## The Digital Foundry Analysis: Closing the Gap

If you follow game technology, you know Digital Foundry is the gold standard for analysis. Their early testing of Resident Evil Requiem and the new PSSR is glowing.

**The headline:** PSSR 2 is a "huge leap" forward, successfully closing the gap with NVIDIA's DLSS 4.5 and AMD's FSR 4 .

**Key findings:**

- **Visual accuracy:** The new PSSR approaches DLSS 4.5 in visual precision, a massive improvement over the original version .

- **Compared to FSR 4:** PSSR 2 actually outperforms FSR 4 in some areas, particularly in handling glare and ghosting effects .

- **Image quality:** The new version is sharper and more stable than the original, eliminating much of the blur that plagued early PSSR titles .

- **The verdict:** What was once the PS5 Pro's biggest weakness has now become one of its core strengths .

One Chinese tech site put it bluntly: "The first-generation PSSR was so blurry it was worse than the base PS5—now that situation has been completely reversed" .

---

## How Resident Evil Requiem Performs on PS5 Pro

All this tech talk is great, but what does it actually mean for playing the game?

Digital Foundry's performance analysis of Resident Evil Requiem gives us the answer .

**On PS5 Pro, players have two options:**

| **Mode** | **Target** | **Ray Tracing** | **Resolution** | **Performance** |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| **Quality Mode** | 60 fps | Full ray tracing enabled | Upscaled from ~1080p to sharp 4K using new PSSR | Rock solid 60 fps with minimal drops in complex scenes |

| **Performance Mode** | 120 fps | Ray tracing disabled | Lower quality upscaling (reminiscent of FSR 1) | Frame rate less stable, often dropping to 90s |

**The verdict:** Quality Mode is the way to play. You get beautiful ray-traced lighting and incredibly sharp image quality, all at a steady 60 fps. As one reviewer put it, the PS5 Pro version "shines" and is "one of the best enhanced games for the system" .

**Compared to other consoles:**

- **PS5 and Xbox Series X:** Run like the PS5 Pro's 120 fps mode—no ray tracing, locked frame rate .

- **Xbox Series S:** Runs at a basic 720p resolution with simplified hair models .

The gap between PS5 Pro and the competition is substantial. This is the first game where the Pro's extra power truly delivers on its promise .

---

## The March Update: PSSR for Everyone

Here's the really good news for PS5 Pro owners.

Sony is rolling out a system software update in March that will include a new setting: **"Enhance PSSR Image Quality"** .

**What this means:** If you enable this setting, any game that already supports PSSR will automatically use the new, improved version . No patches required. No waiting for developers to update their games.

Mark Cerny's advice: "Once the system update releases next month, try it and see, some games may have noticeably crisper graphics" .

This is huge. It means dozens of existing PS5 Pro games could see a visual boost overnight. Games that launched with disappointing PSSR implementation could suddenly look much better .

**Which games?** Sony hasn't announced the list yet, but any of the 50+ games that currently support PSSR could benefit .

---

## The Bigger Picture: Project Amethyst and Cross-Platform Tech

This PSSR upgrade isn't happening in isolation. It's part of a larger story about Sony and AMD working together.

**Project Amethyst** is a multi-year collaboration between Sony and AMD focused on machine learning and graphics technologies . The goal is to develop architectures and solutions that benefit both console and PC gamers.

Jack Huynh, AMD's computing and graphics general manager, congratulated Sony on the PSSR launch and revealed that the same technology will appear in AMD's FSR 4 on PC in the coming months .

**What this means:**

- PC gamers with AMD GPUs will eventually get the same upscaling tech that PS5 Pro owners are enjoying now

- Games developed for PS5 Pro will be easier to optimize for PC, and vice versa

- The tech cycle between console and PC becomes a virtuous circle, with both sides benefiting

As one tech site put it, this cross-platform partnership "builds a virtuous cycle in the industry, achieving two-way benefits for both consoles and PCs" .

---

## What This Means for Different People

### If You Own a PS5 Pro

This is your moment. The console finally has its killer app. Resident Evil Requiem is not only a great game (IGN gave it 9/10) but also a stunning showcase of what the hardware can do . And with the March update, many other games will get a visual boost too.

### If You're Still on Base PS5 or Xbox

You're still getting a great experience. Digital Foundry's analysis shows that the game runs well on all platforms . You just won't get the ray tracing and extra sharpness that Pro owners enjoy.

### If You're a PC Gamer

You'll eventually benefit from this technology through AMD's FSR 4. The same upscaling tech that's making PS5 Pro games look stunning is coming to PC.

### If You're a Graphics Enthusiast

This is genuinely exciting. We're watching console technology catch up to—and in some ways surpass—what's available on PC. The gap between platforms is narrowing, and that's good for everyone who loves games.

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What is Resident Evil Requiem?**

A: It's the ninth mainline Resident Evil game, following the events of Resident Evil 7 and 8. It launched February 27, 2026, on PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, and PC .

**Q: What is PSSR?**

A: PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution is Sony's AI-powered upscaling technology, exclusive to PS5 Pro. It uses machine learning to render games at lower resolutions and upscale them to 4K while maintaining image quality .

**Q: How is the new PSSR different from the original?**

A: The new version represents a "very different approach" to both the neural network and the overall algorithm . It's based on Sony's Project Amethyst collaboration with AMD and has been refined for six months specifically for PS5 Pro .

**Q: Is the upgrade noticeable?**

A: Yes. Early tests show the new PSSR dramatically improves image quality, especially in fine details like hair and fabric textures . Digital Foundry says it successfully closes the gap with NVIDIA's DLSS 4.5 .

**Q: Will other games get this upgrade?**

A: Yes. Sony will release a system update in March that adds an "Enhance PSSR Image Quality" setting. Any game that currently supports PSSR will automatically use the new version when this setting is enabled .

**Q: How does Resident Evil Requiem perform on PS5 Pro?**

A: In Quality Mode, it runs at a rock-solid 60 fps with full ray tracing, upscaled from ~1080p to sharp 4K. In Performance Mode, it targets 120 fps without ray tracing .

**Q: Is the game good?**

A: Yes. IGN gave it 9/10, calling it a "watershed work" that reconciles two long-opposed visions of the franchise . It's already Steam's biggest Resident Evil launch ever .

**Q: Do I need a PS5 Pro to play?**

A: No. The game is available on base PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The Pro version just offers enhanced visuals and performance .

**Q: What's Project Amethyst?**

A: It's a multi-year collaboration between Sony and AMD focused on machine learning and graphics technologies . The same tech powers the new PSSR on PS5 Pro and will appear in AMD's FSR 4 on PC .

---

## The Bottom Line

Here's what I keep coming back to.

When PS5 Pro launched, a lot of people—including me—wondered whether the extra $200 was worth it. The performance gains were real, but the visual improvements were often subtle. The upscaling tech had issues. It felt like a console waiting for its moment.

That moment has arrived.

Resident Evil Requiem is not just a great game. It's a showcase for what PS5 Pro can do when everything clicks. The new PSSR upscaler, born from Sony's partnership with AMD, finally delivers on the promise of AI-enhanced console gaming. Hair that looks like hair. Fabric you can almost feel. Lighting that feels real.

**Mark Cerny** and his team have been working on this for months. The result is a technology that closes the gap with the best PC upscalers and gives PS5 Pro a genuine reason to exist.

**For PS5 Pro owners,** this is validation. Your console just became the best place to play one of the year's biggest games.

**For everyone else,** it's a glimpse of where console gaming is headed. AI upscaling is no longer a PC-only luxury. It's becoming standard, and it's making games look better than ever.

Resident Evil Requiem is out now. If you have a PS5 Pro, fire it up, enable Quality Mode, and prepare to be impressed.

---

*Got thoughts on the new PSSR? Playing Resident Evil Requiem? Drop a comment and let me know.*

Two More Studio Display 2 Upgrades Leaked in New Report: What Apple Has Planned

 # Two More Studio Display 2 Upgrades Leaked in New Report: What Apple Has Planned

**Published: February 28, 2026**

You know that feeling when you've been waiting for Apple to update a product for what feels like forever, and suddenly there's actual news?

That's where we are right now with the Studio Display.

Apple's external monitor has been quietly sitting on the sidelines since its launch in March 2022. Four years with no updates. No new features. No nothing. Just... the same display, waiting for its moment.

According to a new report from a usually reliable source, that moment is finally coming. And it's bringing two significant upgrades that could make the Studio Display 2 worth the wait .

Let me walk you through what's leaking, what it means for your setup, and whether this might finally be the display Apple should have launched four years ago.

---

## The Short Version: What You Need to Know

**What's happening:** A new report from a source with a track record for accurate Apple leaks has revealed two key upgrades coming to the Studio Display 2 .

**The upgrades:**

- **90Hz refresh rate** – A meaningful bump from the current 60Hz, making scrolling and motion look noticeably smoother

- **Mini-LED backlighting** – Better contrast, deeper blacks, and improved HDR performance

**What's not changing:** The 27-inch 5K resolution and the general design language are expected to remain similar .

**The timing:** No release date has been mentioned, but with the leaks heating up, an announcement could come later this year .

**The context:** Apple's display lineup has been stuck in place for years. The Pro Display XDR is from 2019. The Studio Display is from 2022. Both are overdue for updates .

---

## The Current State: Studio Display, Four Years Later

Before we get into what's new, let's remember what we're working with.

The Studio Display launched in March 2022 alongside the Mac Studio. At the time, it was positioned as the more affordable companion to the Pro Display XDR. It offered:

- 27-inch 5K Retina display (5120 x 2880)

- 600 nits brightness

- P3 wide color

- True Tone

- 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage

- Six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio

- Three USB-C ports and one Thunderbolt 3 port

- Starting price: $1,599

**The good:** For Mac users, it was the first reasonably priced Apple-branded display since the Thunderbolt Display. It matched the design language of the Mac lineup perfectly. The speakers were genuinely impressive for built-in audio .

**The not-so-good:** The camera was famously terrible at launch (improved via software updates). The 60Hz refresh rate felt dated even in 2022. And the price, while lower than the XDR, was still steep for a display with a conventional LCD panel.

Four years later, the competition has moved on. Dell, LG, and Samsung offer 5K and 6K displays with better specs, often at lower prices. Apple's display has been standing still.

---

## The Leaks: What We're Hearing

The new information comes from a source who previously accurately predicted details about the M4 MacBook Pro, the iPhone 16 Pro's camera upgrades, and the iPad Pro's OLED transition . That track record gives these leaks some credibility.

**Leak #1: 90Hz Refresh Rate**

The biggest news is a bump from 60Hz to **90Hz** .

**What this means:** Scrolling will look noticeably smoother. Video content will have slightly better motion clarity. The overall experience will feel more premium and responsive.

**Why not 120Hz?** This is the question everyone's asking. ProMotion (120Hz) is currently reserved for Apple's Pro products—iPhone Pro, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro. A 90Hz display would sit nicely between the standard 60Hz of non-Pro products and the 120Hz of Pro products.

It's not the smoothest you can get, but it's a meaningful improvement over the current display.

**Leak #2: Mini-LED Backlighting**

This is actually a bigger deal than the refresh rate bump.

**What Mini-LED does:** Instead of a single backlight illuminating the entire screen, Mini-LED uses thousands of tiny LEDs that can be dimmed in zones. This allows for:

- Deeper blacks (zones can turn off completely)

- Higher contrast ratios

- Better HDR performance

- Improved brightness in highlights

**The Mini-LED difference:** If you've ever used a MacBook Pro with Mini-LED, you know how good it can look. Blacks that actually look black. Highlights that pop. Content that feels more dimensional.

**The trade-off:** Mini-LED can sometimes show "blooming"—a slight glow around bright objects on dark backgrounds. But when implemented well, it's a massive upgrade over standard LCD.

**What this means for Studio Display 2:** It will finally be able to display true HDR content properly. The current Studio Display's 600 nits and limited contrast can't compete with OLED or Mini-LED panels. This upgrade brings it into the modern era.

---

## What's Not Changing: 5K and Design

According to the same report, some things will stay the same.

**27-inch 5K resolution:** This is the sweet spot for many Mac users. The pixel density at 27 inches with 5K is perfect for text clarity and creative work. Apple is reportedly sticking with it .

**Design language:** The Studio Display 2 will likely look very similar to the original. That's probably fine—it's a clean, professional design that fits well with any Mac setup.

**Camera and speakers:** No word on upgrades here, but the original's camera was fixed via software, and the speakers are already excellent. Don't expect major changes.

**Ports:** Probably the same array of three USB-C ports and one Thunderbolt port, though an upgrade to Thunderbolt 4 or 5 is possible .

---

## The Missing Piece: Pro Display XDR 2

While we're talking about Apple displays, it's worth noting that the Pro Display XDR is even more overdue for an update. That monitor launched in 2019—seven years ago .

Rumors suggest Apple is working on a second-generation Pro Display XDR with:

- OLED or advanced Mini-LED technology

- Higher refresh rates (possibly 120Hz)

- Updated design

- Likely an astronomical price tag

But those rumors have been quiet lately. The Studio Display 2 leaks suggest Apple is prioritizing the more affordable option first.

---

## The Competition: How Studio Display 2 Stacks Up

To understand whether these upgrades matter, let's look at the competition.

**Table 1: Studio Display 2 vs. The Competition**

| **Display** | **Size** | **Resolution** | **Refresh Rate** | **Panel Type** | **Price** |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Studio Display (current) | 27" | 5K | 60Hz | LCD | $1,599 |

| **Studio Display 2 (rumored)** | **27"** | **5K** | **90Hz** | **Mini-LED** | **~$1,599** |

| LG UltraFine 5K | 27" | 5K | 60Hz | LCD | $1,299 |

| Dell UltraSharp U2723QE | 27" | 4K | 60Hz | IPS Black | $649 |

| Samsung ViewFinity S9 | 27" | 5K | 60Hz | Matte OLED | $1,599 |

| Pro Display XDR | 32" | 6K | 60Hz | LCD | $4,999 |

**The Samsung ViewFinity S9** is the most direct competitor. It offers a 5K matte OLED display at the same $1,599 price point. OLED gives it perfect blacks and infinite contrast. If Studio Display 2 only offers Mini-LED, Samsung might still have the edge for pure image quality.

**The LG UltraFine** is cheaper but older. It lacks the premium build and speakers of the Studio Display.

**The Dell** is a fraction of the price but only 4K, which looks noticeably less sharp on a 27-inch display for Mac users accustomed to high pixel densities.

The rumored upgrades would keep Studio Display 2 competitive, but Apple will need to nail the pricing and features to justify the cost against OLED alternatives.

---

## Why This Matters for Mac Users

If you're a Mac user, the Studio Display has always been a product you either loved or ignored.

**The pros of staying in the Apple ecosystem:**

- Seamless integration—brightness and volume controlled from your keyboard

- Design that matches your Mac perfectly

- Excellent built-in speakers (seriously, they're good)

- The 5K resolution that gives you perfect scaling without performance hits

**The cons:**

- High price for specs that lag behind competitors

- Limited flexibility—can't easily use it with non-Mac devices

- No upgrade path—you're stuck with whatever Apple gives you

The rumored upgrades address the biggest complaint: that the display's technology felt dated. 90Hz and Mini-LED bring it much closer to what you'd expect from a premium 2026 display.

---

## The Bigger Picture: Apple's Display Strategy

Looking at Apple's display lineup over the years, a pattern emerges.

**2010-2016:** Apple sold its own Thunderbolt Displays, then discontinued them without a replacement.

**2016-2019:** A dark age for Apple displays. Mac users were forced to buy third-party monitors or hunt for used Thunderbolt Displays.

**2019:** The Pro Display XDR arrived, aimed at professionals with deep pockets. At $4,999, it wasn't for everyone.

**2022:** The Studio Display arrived, giving the rest of us an Apple-branded option. But it was clearly a compromise—good enough, not great.

**2026:** If these leaks are accurate, the Studio Display 2 finally addresses those compromises. It's still not a Pro Display XDR replacement, but it's a meaningful upgrade.

The question is: will there be a Pro Display XDR 2? And will Apple ever offer a mid-range 32-inch option? For now, the rumors are quiet.

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: When will the Studio Display 2 be released?**

A: No release date has been mentioned in the leaks. Given the timing of the report, an announcement later in 2026 is plausible, but nothing is confirmed .

**Q: How much will it cost?**

A: The current Studio Display starts at $1,599. With Mini-LED and a 90Hz panel, Apple could raise the price, but they might also keep it the same to remain competitive with Samsung's 5K OLED .

**Q: Will it have ProMotion (120Hz)?**

A: The leak specifically mentions 90Hz, not 120Hz. ProMotion is likely still reserved for Pro products .

**Q: Is Mini-LED better than OLED?**

A: They're different. OLED has perfect blacks and infinite contrast, but can suffer from burn-in over time. Mini-LED offers excellent contrast and high brightness without burn-in risk, but can show blooming around bright objects on dark backgrounds .

**Q: Should I buy the current Studio Display or wait?**

A: If you need a display now, the current Studio Display is still a solid choice. But if you can wait, the rumored upgrades are significant enough that waiting is probably worth it.

**Q: Will the Studio Display 2 work with PCs?**

A: Yes, but you'll lose some Mac-specific features like brightness control from your keyboard.

**Q: What about the Pro Display XDR?**

A: No recent rumors about an update. The Pro Display XDR is now seven years old and overdue for a refresh, but Apple hasn't signaled anything yet .

**Q: Is 90Hz a big upgrade from 60Hz?**

A: Yes. The difference between 60Hz and 90Hz is noticeable, especially when scrolling or moving windows around. It won't feel as smooth as 120Hz, but it's a meaningful improvement.

**Q: Will the camera be improved?**

A: The leak doesn't mention camera upgrades. The original's camera was fixed via software, so it might carry over unchanged.

**Q: Can I use it as a TV?**

A: You could, but it would be an expensive and awkward TV. There are much better options for that use case.

---

## The Bottom Line

Here's what I keep coming back to.

The Studio Display has been a solid but unexciting product for four years. It was never bad, but it was never great either. It was the display you bought because you wanted an Apple logo on your desk and didn't want to spend $5,000 on the Pro Display XDR.

**The rumored upgrades** change that equation.

90Hz refresh rate makes the day-to-day experience noticeably better. Scrolling, animations, window movements—everything feels smoother and more responsive.

Mini-LED backlighting transforms the image quality. Deeper blacks, better contrast, actual HDR performance. For creative professionals, that's a game-changer.

**The competition** hasn't stood still. Samsung's 5K OLED is excellent. LG's UltraFine is cheaper. Dell offers incredible value at 4K. Apple can't just put its logo on a mediocre product and expect to win.

But if these rumors pan out—if Apple delivers a 27-inch 5K Mini-LED display with 90Hz at a reasonable price—the Studio Display 2 could finally be the monitor the original should have been.

It's been a long wait. Four years, to be exact. But sometimes, good things come to those who wait.

---

*Got thoughts on the Studio Display 2? Waiting to upgrade or happy with what you've got? Drop a comment and let me know.*

Pokémon Winds and Waves Revealed, Gen 10 Starter Debates Are Live

 

# Pokémon Winds and Waves Revealed, Gen 10 Starter Debates Are Live

**Published: February 28, 2026**

You know that feeling when you've been waiting for something for years, and when it finally happens, the internet just… explodes?

That's exactly what happened yesterday.

The Pokémon Company celebrated its 30th anniversary with a Pokémon Presents livestream that finally—finally—unveiled the next generation of mainline games. **Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves** are coming in 2027, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 .

And with them come three new starters that have already split the fanbase right down the middle.

Meet Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua—the Bean Chick, the Puppy, and the Water Gecko. The debates are already raging. Which one is the cutest? Which one will have the best evolutions? Which one are YOU picking on day one?

Let me walk you through everything we know about Gen 10, the new starters, and why the internet is already losing its collective mind over a tiny gecko.

---

## The Short Version: What You Need to Know

**The games:** Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, the 10th generation of mainline Pokémon games, were officially announced during the Pokémon Day 2026 Pokémon Presents livestream on February 27 .

**The release window:** Sometime in 2027, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 .

**The setting:** A tropical region of "windswept islands and a vast, glittering ocean" inspired by Southeast Asian archipelagos .

**The new starters:**

- **Browt** (Grass) – The Bean Chick Pokémon. Lively but a bit clumsy.

- **Pombon** (Fire) – The Puppy Pokémon. Guileless and friendly.

- **Gecqua** (Water) – The Water Gecko Pokémon. Highly intelligent and a bit dramatic.

**The early favorite:** Gecqua is currently running away with the popularity contest, but the debates are just getting started .

**What else we got:** Pokémon Champions (April 2026), Pokémon Pokopia (March 5, 2026), and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness coming to Switch 2 via NSO .

---

## The 30th Anniversary Celebration: A Quick Recap

Before we dive into the Gen 10 news, it's worth stepping back and appreciating the moment.

Pokémon Red and Green launched in Japan on February 27, 1996. Thirty years later, the franchise has become the highest-grossing media franchise in the world, spanning games, trading cards, anime, movies, and more .

The Pokémon Day 2026 presentation was packed with announcements :

- **Pokémon Champions** – A competitive-focused battle game coming to Switch in April 2026, with mobile version later .

- **Pokémon Pokopia** – A "cozy" life-sim spin-off launching March 5, 2026 on Switch 2 .

- **Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness** – The GameCube classic hits Switch 2 via NSO in March .

- **Mega Garchomp Z** – A new Mega Evolution revealed for Pokémon Legends: Z-A .

- **Pokémon TCG** – A celebratory expansion with global simultaneous launch coming in 2026 .

But let's be honest: the main event was always going to be Gen 10.

---

## Pokémon Winds and Waves: The Setting

The new games take place in a region that looks absolutely stunning. Early leaks from last year's Game Freak "teraleak" had suggested a Southeast Asian-inspired setting, and those leaks have now been confirmed .

**The official description from The Pokémon Company:** "Beautiful windswept islands and a vast ocean with glittering waves" .

The reveal trailer showed off sandy beaches, lava-filled caverns, lush tropical jungles, and what looks like an absolutely massive open world to explore . And because these are Switch 2 exclusives, the visual leap is real. This is the best-looking Pokémon game we've ever seen .

**Version differences:** Your character's outfit will change depending on which version you play—Winds or Waves—adding a small but meaningful touch of uniqueness .

**The Pikachu variants:** The trailer also teased two special Pikachu sporting tropical vacation looks. They're called **Mr. Windychu** and **Ms. Wavychu**, and they'll apparently play an important role in the player's adventure .

**Language support:** For the first time, the games will officially support Brazilian Portuguese as a selectable language .

---

## The Starters: Meet the Trio

Now for what you actually came here for.

**Table 1: Pokémon Gen 10 Starters – Official Stats**

| **Pokémon** | **Type** | **Category** | **Height** | **Weight** | **Ability** | **Description** |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| **Browt** | Grass | Bean Chick Pokémon | 1′ (0.3 m) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | Overgrow | This Pokémon runs about energetically while photosynthesising using the leaves on its brow. It's lively, but it can also be a bit clumsy . |

| **Pombon** | Fire | Puppy Pokémon | 1′4″ (0.4 m) | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) | Blaze | The area below its throat glows faintly from the heat-generating organ within its lungs. This Pokémon is guileless and friendly . |

| **Gecqua** | Water | Water Gecko Pokémon | 1′ (0.3 m) | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) | Torrent | This Pokémon launches springy balls of water from its tail. Gecqua is very intelligent and maneuvers shrewdly while putting on airs . |

---

## The Early Favorite: Why Gecqua Is Winning

If you've been on social media at all in the past 24 hours, you've seen it: the Gecqua hype train is already at full speed.

**Olivia Richman at The Escapist** put it bluntly: "the only thing I cared about was Gecqua" . She's not alone.

**Why Gecqua?** Several reasons:

1. **The design.** It's a tiny gecko with big, expressive eyes and what can only be described as "attitude." The official description says it "maneuvers shrewdly while putting on airs"—basically, it's a drama queen in lizard form. Fans love that.

2. **The "slay" factor.** Back in January, a leaker described the Water starter as the one that "absolutely serves and slays" . That description went viral, and now that we've actually seen Gecqua, it fits perfectly.

3. **The evolution potential.** Early leaks describing the final evolutions suggested that Gecqua's evolution is the "total standout" of the trio . While we haven't seen the evolutions yet, that leak has given Gecqua an early edge.

4. **The history of Water starters.** Water-type starters have a strong track record. Mudkip, Totodile, Froakie—some of the most beloved starters of all time are Water types. Gecqua is already being mentioned in the same breath.

**The Eurogamer team** has already picked sides, with one writer declaring Pombon their personal favorite . But in the comments and on social media, Gecqua is running away with it.

---

## The Case for Pombon: The Fire Puppy

Don't count Pombon out just yet.

Fire-type starters have historically been the most popular. Charizard. Typhlosion. Infernape. Cinderace. The pattern is clear: people love their fire types.

**Pombon's advantages:**

- **It's a puppy.** Literally. The "Puppy Pokémon" category and the description "guileless and friendly" are basically designed to tug at heartstrings . This is the starter for everyone who's ever wished they could have a Growlithe from the beginning.

- **The glow effect.** The description mentions its throat glowing faintly from the heat-generating organ in its lungs. That's a visual detail that could look amazing in-game and in battle animations.

- **The cute factor.** The leaker who described the starters back in January called the Fire-type "extremely cute" and predicted it would be a "fan favorite" . So far, that prediction is holding up.

- **The dog lover demographic.** Let's be real—there's a huge segment of the Pokémon fanbase that picks starters based on "which one would make the best pet." Pombon is the clear winner there.

---

## The Case for Browt: The Underdog

Poor Browt. The Grass-type starter always has the hardest road.

Grass types have historically been the least popular starter choice. They have more type disadvantages early game, and their designs often get labeled as "underwhelming" compared to their flashier Fire and Water counterparts.

**Browt's situation:**

The leaker from January described the Grass starter as "kinda goofy or underwhelming at first, but it grows on you" . And honestly? That's exactly the reaction Browt is getting.

It's a tiny green bird with what looks like a permanent scowl and leaves growing out of its forehead. It's not conventionally cute like Pombon or stylish like Gecqua. But there's something endearing about it.

**The "derpy" charm:** The same leaker used the word "derpy" to describe it . And in the Pokémon fandom, "derpy" can be a compliment. Some of the most beloved Pokémon of all time—Wooper, Psyduck, Slowpoke—owe their popularity to being a little goofy.

**The redemption arc:** If the evolution leaks are accurate, Browt's final form will be the one that "grows on you" . That suggests a Magikarp-style journey from underwhelming to awesome. And players love that narrative.

---

## The Evolution Leaks: What We (Might) Know

Here's where we have to put on our skeptical hats.

Back in January, a leaker described the Gen 10 starter evolutions based on what they claimed to have seen :

- **Grass:** Kinda goofy or underwhelming at first, but it grows on you (also described as derpy).

- **Fire:** Extremely cute, has all the makings of a fan favorite.

- **Water:** Absolutely serves and slays, total standout.

Given that the leaker's descriptions of the base forms were spot-on (they called Browt "derpy," Pombon "extremely cute," and Gecqua the one that "serves"), there's reason to believe the evolution descriptions might be accurate too .

But we should still take this with a grain of salt. As **VICE** noted, even if the leak is real, it's one person's opinion of the designs . "Serves and slays" is subjective.

**What we don't know:** The actual typing of the final evolutions. Will they stay pure Grass/Fire/Water, or will they gain secondary types? Will any of them end up on two legs (the eternal fear of starter fans)? We'll have to wait for more info.

---

## The Fan Reaction: Social Media Melts Down

As you'd expect, the Pokémon fanbase has Opinions.

**The Gecqua stans** are already claiming victory. "Gecqua is literally perfect and I would die for them" is a sentiment you'll see repeated across Twitter, Reddit, and Discord. The "serves and slays" meme is already in full effect.

**The Pombon defenders** are fighting back. "Pombon is the goodest boy and anyone who picks Gecqua is just being trendy" is the general vibe.

**The Browt fans** are quieter, but they're there. There's a certain pride in picking the underdog. "Browt will have the best evolution, just wait" is the rallying cry.

**The "wait for evolutions" crowd** is playing it smart. They remember the Sobble line—cute little crying lizard that evolved into an absolute assassin. They remember the Fuecoco line—goofy croc that became a Day of the Dead skeleton. They're not committing until they see the full picture.

**The competitive players** are already theorycrafting. What abilities will they have? What moves? What stats? The debates will only intensify as we get closer to 2027.

---

## What Else We Learned About Gen 10

Beyond the starters, the Pokémon Day presentation gave us some additional details about Winds and Waves.

### The Region

The new region is officially unnamed (at least for now), but it's clearly inspired by Southeast Asian archipelagos . The trailer showed:

- Sandy beaches and tropical waters

- Lush jungles with ancient ruins

- Volcanic areas with lava flows

- Wind-swept islands connected by waterways

The emphasis on "winds and waves" suggests that weather and water exploration will play a major role .

### The Open World

Like Scarlet and Violet before them, Winds and Waves will feature a vast open world to explore . But with the power of the Switch 2, it should run significantly better than its predecessor.

### The Pikachu Variants

Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu are officially a thing. They're Pikachu dressed in tropical vacation outfits—think leis, floral prints, maybe some sunglasses. According to the trailer, they'll play an "important role" in the adventure .

What that role is remains a mystery. Are they gift Pokémon? Ride Pokémon? Something else entirely?

### The Timeline

The games are launching in 2027. That's a long wait—the longest gap between generations since the transition from Gen 2 to Gen 3 . But given the visual leap and the Switch 2 exclusivity, it's probably worth it.

---

## The Other Big Announcements

While Gen 10 was the headline, there was plenty more to get excited about.

### Pokémon Champions (April 2026)

A new competitive-focused battle game coming to Switch in April, with a mobile version later . It will connect to Pokémon HOME, allowing you to bring your Pokémon from other games to battle . This could be huge for the competitive scene.

### Pokémon Pokopia (March 5, 2026)

A "cozy" life-sim spin-off where you build a town for Pokémon . Think Animal Crossing meets Pokémon. It supports up to four players and launches on Switch 2 next week .

### Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness (March 2026)

The GameCube classic is coming to Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack . A generation of players who missed it the first time can finally experience this cult favorite.

### Mega Garchomp Z

A new Mega Evolution revealed for the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC . Players can encounter it through a special Mystery Gift event starting today .

---

## What This Means for Different People

### If You're a Longtime Fan

You've been waiting for this. Four years since Gen 9, and we finally have a new generation to look forward to. The 30th anniversary celebration is real, and the future of Pokémon looks brighter than ever.

### If You're a Starter Debater

The next year is going to be glorious. Between now and 2027, we'll get more info, more trailers, and eventually the first look at evolutions. The debates will rage on. Pick your side and defend it to the death.

### If You're a Competitive Player

Pokémon Champions coming in April gives you something to do while waiting for Gen 10. And when Winds and Waves finally arrive, you'll have a whole new meta to figure out.

### If You're Just Excited for New Pokémon

That's the beauty of this moment. Three new friends to meet. A new world to explore. New adventures waiting. It's what Pokémon has always been about.

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: When will Pokémon Winds and Waves be released?**

A: Sometime in 2027. No specific date has been announced yet .

**Q: What console will they be on?**

A: Exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 .

**Q: What are the new starters?**

A: Browt (Grass-type Bean Chick), Pombon (Fire-type Puppy), and Gecqua (Water-type Water Gecko) .

**Q: Which starter is the most popular right now?**

A: Based on early fan reaction, Gecqua (the Water gecko) is currently the favorite. But the debates are just getting started .

**Q: Do we know what their evolutions look like?**

A: Not officially. There are leaks from January describing the evolutions, but nothing has been confirmed .

**Q: What's the setting of the new games?**

A: A tropical region inspired by Southeast Asian archipelagos, with "windswept islands and a vast, glittering ocean" .

**Q: What about the Pikachu variants?**

A: Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu are special Pikachu in tropical vacation outfits. They'll apparently play an important role in the adventure .

**Q: Will there be a new battle gimmick?**

A: Nothing has been announced yet. The "teraleak" from 2024 mentioned something called "Majin" tied to weather effects, but that hasn't been confirmed .

**Q: Can I transfer my old Pokémon to these games?**

A: Almost certainly, through Pokémon HOME. That's been standard for several generations now.

**Q: What else was announced during Pokémon Day?**

A: Pokémon Champions (April 2026), Pokémon Pokopia (March 5, 2026), Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness coming to Switch 2 via NSO, Mega Garchomp Z for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and more .

---

## The Bottom Line

Here's what I keep coming back to.

After four long years, we finally have a new generation to look forward to. The 10th generation of Pokémon is real, and it's coming in 2027 on the Switch 2. The tropical setting looks gorgeous. The visual leap is significant. And the three new starters have already given us something to argue about for the next year.

**The debates are just beginning.** Browt, Pombon, or Gecqua? Which one will you choose? Which one will have the best evolution? Which one will end up competitively viable? These questions will fuel countless forum threads, YouTube videos, and Twitter arguments between now and launch.

**Gecqua has the early lead.** The "serves and slays" leak, combined with a genuinely great design, has made the Water gecko the early fan favorite . But Pombon's puppy energy and Browt's underdog charm mean this race is far from over.

**The wait is long, but worth it.** 2027 feels like forever from now. But with Pokémon Champions coming in April and Pokopia in March, we have plenty to keep us busy in the meantime.

For now, though, let's enjoy this moment. The 30th anniversary of Pokémon. The reveal of Gen 10. The first glimpse of three new friends we'll spend years getting to know.

The debates are live. Pick your side. And may the best starter win.

---

*Got thoughts on the new starters? Team Gecqua, Team Pombon, or Team Browt? Drop a comment and let me know.*

Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal Stir Fears About What It Means for CNN: 'Devastated' Staff Brace for Change

 

# Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal Stir Fears About What It Means for CNN: 'Devastated' Staff Brace for Change

**Published: February 28, 2026**

You know that feeling when you're watching a movie and the guy you thought was the hero suddenly gets taken over by the villain? Everything looks the same on the outside, but you know something fundamental has shifted.

That's how a lot of people at CNN are feeling right now.

The bombshell announcement that Paramount Skydance has officially won the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery—beating out Netflix with a **$110 billion mega-merger**—has sent shockwaves through the media world . But nowhere are those shockwaves felt more acutely than inside CNN's newsrooms .

For the journalists at CNN, this isn't just another corporate merger. It's an existential crisis. The network that built its brand on independent, hard-hitting journalism is about to be owned by the same family that now controls CBS News—a family with deep ties to President Donald Trump and a track record of reshaping newsrooms in ways that have employees terrified .

Let me walk you through what this deal actually means for CNN, why staffers are described as "devastated," and what the future might hold for one of America's most influential news networks .

---

## The Short Version: What You Need to Know

**The deal:** Paramount Skydance has acquired Warner Bros. Discovery for **$110 billion**, beating Netflix in a bitter five-month bidding war . The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approval .

**What it means for CNN:** The network will now sit under the same corporate umbrella as CBS News, which has already undergone significant changes under Paramount's ownership .

**The political angle:** Paramount CEO David Ellison and his father, Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, are longtime allies of President Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly called for CNN to be sold, calling the network's previous leadership "shameful" .

**The Bari Weiss factor:** Weiss, a conservative commentator handpicked by Ellison to run CBS News, is seen by many as a potential influence over CNN's future direction .

**Staff reaction:** CNN employees are described as "devastated" by the news, with palpable "dread" about what comes next . One person familiar with the network told Yahoo Finance: "No one is happy" .

**The $6 billion question:** Paramount has promised investors it will find **$6 billion in cost "synergies"** —corporate-speak that typically means layoffs and consolidation .

---

## The Deal That Changed Everything

To understand why CNN staffers are so anxious, you need to understand the deal itself.

On February 27, Paramount Skydance formally signed an agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, ending a saga that began back in December when Netflix first announced it would buy Warner's studio and streaming assets for about $83 billion . The Paramount offer—**$31 per share in cash**, valuing the combined company at $110 billion—proved too rich for Netflix, which walked away rather than overpay .

**The key difference:** Netflix only wanted Warner's studio and streaming assets. Under that plan, CNN and other cable networks would have been spun off into a separate company .

Paramount, by contrast, wanted **the whole package**—studio, streaming, and crucially, CNN .

That distinction is everything. Instead of becoming an independent company, CNN now becomes part of a sprawling media empire that already includes CBS News, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central . And for employees who've watched what happened to CBS News under Paramount's ownership, that's not a comforting thought.

---

## The Ellison Factor: Politics and Power

Here's where this story gets deeply political.

David Ellison, the 43-year-old CEO of Paramount Skydance, is the son of Larry Ellison, the Oracle billionaire and one of the richest men in the world. The elder Ellison is also a **longtime ally of President Donald Trump** .

When Trump addressed Congress on February 24 for his State of the Union speech, David Ellison was sitting in the audience . That's not nothing.

Trump himself has been crystal clear about his feelings toward CNN. In December, he called the network a purveyor of "poison and lies" and said the people running it were "shameful." His conclusion: "I think selling CNN is imperative" .

Now, thanks to this deal, CNN is being sold—to a family with direct ties to the president who has spent years attacking the network.

**The Wall Street Journal reported in December** that Ellison had assured Trump administration officials that if he acquired CNN, he would "overhaul" it .

Paramount declined to comment on that report. But the Ellisons haven't exactly hidden their leanings. Larry Ellison is a major Trump donor and ally . The family's political connections are not a secret.

---

## What Happened at CBS News: A Preview?

To understand what might happen at CNN, you need to look at what's already happened at CBS News.

When Paramount acquired full control of CBS last year, David Ellison moved quickly to reshape the news division. His most significant move: installing **Bari Weiss** as editor-in-chief .

Weiss is a former New York Times opinion journalist who founded The Free Press, a media outlet that positions itself against what she sees as liberal bias in mainstream media. She's been praised by Donald Trump and has articulated a vision for news that attracts a more centrist—and implicitly more conservative—audience .

Under Weiss, CBS News has undergone significant changes:

- **"60 Minutes" controversies:** Weiss reportedly asked the flagship program to hold a story critical of Trump's immigration policies to seek more response from the administration. The story eventually ran a month later .

- **Management shakeups:** Multiple management changes have created what staffers describe as a difficult work environment .

- **Viewership declines:** "CBS Evening News" with Tony Dokoupil drew about 4.17 million viewers last week—down 10% from the same period last year. "CBS Mornings" is down 14% .

- **Talent departures:** Anderson Cooper announced earlier this month he would leave his position as a "60 Minutes" correspondent after two decades—a move widely interpreted as dissatisfaction with the new direction .

**One staffer's fear, shared with The Guardian:** that Weiss could eventually take control of CNN as well .

Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, put it bluntly: "Ellison will readily throw the first amendment, CNN's reporters and HBO's film-makers under the bus if they stand in the way of expanding his corporate empire and fattening his pockets" .

---

## The Mood at CNN: 'Devastated' and 'Dreading' What's Next

If you're looking for a single word to describe the mood inside CNN right now, multiple reports converge on the same term: "devastated" .

According to three people familiar with the network cited by Yahoo Finance:

- "No one is happy" 

- There is "palpable dread among staffers" 

- Employees fear the network's "financial health" and "journalistic independence" are both at risk 

This isn't a network that's unfamiliar with turbulence. CNN employees have weathered:

- A sale to AT&T

- Two adversarial terms of the Trump presidency

- A Biden White House that often avoided the press

- A sale to Discovery

- Multiple changes in leadership

- Several rounds of layoffs

But this feels different. Because this time, the new owner isn't just another corporate parent—it's one with a stated political orientation and a track record of reshaping newsrooms to match it.

**CNN's own media analyst, Brian Stelter**, wrote on Friday: "CNN employees and viewers have serious concerns about whether Paramount CEO David Ellison will uphold the news network's editorial independence amid severe political turbulence" .

---

## The Numbers: CNN's Business Reality

It's not just about politics. CNN's business fundamentals also raise questions about what a cost-conscious new owner might do.

Under Jeff Zucker's leadership, CNN was a profit machine, generating **$1 billion in annual profit** . Today, according to a January SEC filing by Warner Bros. Discovery, the network is expected to produce adjusted operating profit of around **$600 million** .

That's a 40% decline.

CNN's projected revenue for 2026 is **$1.8 billion**, with hopes to grow to $2.2 billion by 2030 through its new subscription service, CNN All Access . But that's not guaranteed. The core business is actually projected to decline at a **-4% compound annual growth rate** over the next four years .

In other words, CNN is a business in transition, with declining linear revenue and an unproven digital future. In a merger where the new owners have promised investors **$6 billion in cost "synergies,"** that's a worrying combination .

---

## The $6 Billion Question: What Gets Cut?

Whenever media companies merge, the promise of "synergies" inevitably means layoffs, consolidation, and cost-cutting.

Paramount has committed to finding **$6 billion in savings** from combining the two companies . The sources of those savings are expected to include:

- Technology integration

- Corporate efficiencies

- Streamlining operations

**Translation:** Duplicate roles will be eliminated. Back-office functions will be consolidated. And in news, that often means combining resources, sharing content, and—inevitably—reducing headcount.

For CNN staffers, the fear is that cost-cutting will intersect with editorial direction. If you're trying to save money and reshape the newsroom's tone at the same time, the result could be a network that looks very different from the one Ted Turner founded 45 years ago.

---

## The Regulatory Road: Not a Done Deal Yet

Before any of this happens, the deal still needs to clear regulatory hurdles.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has made it clear he intends to fight. "Paramount/Warner Bros is not a done deal," Bonta posted on X. "These two Hollywood titans have not cleared regulatory scrutiny — the California Department of Justice has an open investigation, and we intend to be vigorous in our review" .

Bonta's concerns echo those of Senator Elizabeth Warren, who called the deal an "antitrust disaster" and warned that "a handful of Trump-aligned billionaires are trying to seize control of what you watch and charge you whatever price they want" .

The deal also faces review from:

- The European Commission

- Several other U.S. states

- Potentially federal regulators

To smooth the path, Paramount has offered a massive **$7 billion regulatory termination fee** —money it will pay Warner if the deal falls apart due to government opposition . That's a sign of confidence, but also a measure of how high the stakes are.

---

## What Mark Thompson Told Staff

In the midst of all this uncertainty, CNN CEO Mark Thompson has tried to calm nerves.

In a memo to staff, Thompson urged employees not to jump to conclusions. "Despite all the speculation you've read during this process, I'd suggest that you don't jump to conclusions about the future until we know more," he wrote .

His message: "Let's continue to focus on delivering the best possible journalism to the millions of people who rely on us all around the world" .

It's the kind of message leaders send when they're trying to keep people focused on the work rather than the anxiety. But for employees who've watched what happened at CBS News, it's cold comfort.

---

## The Historical Perspective: CNN at 45

CNN was founded in 1980 by media pioneer Ted Turner, who created the first 24-hour cable news network and revolutionized how Americans consume news . For 45 years, through multiple owners and countless challenges, the network has maintained a commitment to straightforward, non-partisan journalism.

**Tom Johnson, who ran CNN in the 1990s,** put it simply: "Since Ted Turner founded it in 1980, CNN has provided viewers with news they can trust. Accurate, fair news. I sincerely hope that CNN's new owners will maintain its editorial independence and excellence. But I deeply fear he may not be able to" .

That fear is now shared by hundreds of journalists inside the network.

---

## What This Means for Different People

### If You're a CNN Employee

The next year is going to be difficult. The deal won't close until the third quarter at the earliest, meaning months of uncertainty ahead. Cost-cutting is coming. Whether it comes with a change in editorial direction remains to be seen, but the CBS News precedent suggests it might.

### If You're a CNN Viewer

The network you've watched for years may start to feel different. New ownership often brings new priorities, new talent, and new programming. Whether that's good or bad depends on what you're looking for.

### If You Care About News Independence

This deal raises fundamental questions about whether a news organization can remain independent when its owner has direct political ties to the president. Those questions won't be answered quickly or easily.

### If You're Just Watching

You're witnessing one of the most consequential media mergers in history. Two of Hollywood's last five major studios are combining. A major news network is changing hands. The political and economic stakes couldn't be higher.

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What does the Paramount-Warner deal mean for CNN?**

A: CNN will become part of the same corporate family as CBS News, under the ownership of the Ellison family, which has close ties to President Trump. Staffers fear the network's editorial independence could be compromised .

**Q: Who is David Ellison?**

A: He's the CEO of Paramount Skydance, son of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, and a close ally of President Trump. He was in the audience for Trump's February State of the Union address .

**Q: Who is Bari Weiss, and why does she matter for CNN?**

A: Weiss is a conservative commentator handpicked by Ellison to run CBS News. Staffers fear she could eventually take a similar role at CNN .

**Q: What did President Trump say about CNN?**

A: Trump has repeatedly attacked CNN, calling its coverage "poison and lies" and saying in December that "selling CNN is imperative" .

**Q: How are CNN employees reacting?**

A: Staffers are described as "devastated" and "dreading" what comes next. One person familiar with the network said: "No one is happy" .

**Q: What happened at CBS News under Ellison?**

A: CBS News has seen management shakeups, viewership declines, and controversies at "60 Minutes" under new leadership. Anderson Cooper recently stepped down as a "60 Minutes" correspondent, a move seen as dissatisfaction with the new direction .

**Q: Can the deal still be blocked?**

A: Yes. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has an open investigation and has promised a "vigorous" review. The deal also faces scrutiny from the European Commission and other regulators .

**Q: When will the deal close?**

A: The companies expect the deal to close in the third quarter of 2026, assuming regulatory approval .

**Q: How much is Paramount paying?**

A: $31 per share in cash, valuing the deal at $81 billion in equity and $110 billion including debt .

**Q: What does this mean for CNN's programming?**

A: Too early to say. But with $6 billion in promised cost savings and a new owner with clear political ties, changes are almost certain.

---

## The Bottom Line

Here's what I keep coming back to.

CNN has been through a lot. Multiple owners. Multiple leadership changes. Multiple rounds of layoffs. Through it all, the network has maintained a commitment to straightforward journalism that's made it a trusted source for millions of Americans.

This feels different.

For the first time, CNN will be owned by a family with direct political ties to a sitting president—one who has spent years attacking the network as "shameful" and its coverage as "poison." For employees who watched what happened at CBS News under the same ownership, the precedent is not reassuring.

**The staffers** are "devastated" and "dreading" what comes next .

**The former CNN president** Tom Johnson "deeply fears" the new owners may not maintain editorial independence .

**The Freedom of the Press Foundation** warns that Ellison will throw journalists "under the bus" if they stand in the way of his corporate ambitions .

**CNN's own media analyst** says employees and viewers have "serious concerns" about the network's future .

Will those fears be realized? Nobody knows yet. The deal hasn't closed. Regulators haven't signed off. CNN's leadership is urging calm.

But for a network built on the principle of independent journalism, the anxiety is understandable. When your new owner is allied with the president who's spent years attacking you, it's hard not to worry about what comes next.

---

*Got thoughts on the Paramount-Warner deal? Worried about CNN's future? Drop a comment and let me know.*