John Oliver has secured a one-year contract extension for his HBO show, "Last Week Tonight," ensuring its continuation through 2027. This renewal comes as the proposed $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery by Skydance Media, backed by billionaire David Ellison, faces ongoing scrutiny.
Oliver, known for his critical commentary on political and media landscapes, expressed that he is operating in a state of "total denial" regarding the potential acquisition. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he is choosing to "bury his head in the sand" rather than dwell on the uncertainties surrounding the deal. The merger was temporarily halted last month by a federal judge who cited concerns about potential "extinguishment of competition."
Oliver has previously voiced his apprehension about the potential leadership of David Ellison, whose ties to former President Donald Trump have drawn attention. Ellison was noted for "honoring" Trump at an April dinner. Oliver's concerns center on the possibility of Paramount's leadership aligning politically with the Trump administration, which he fears could influence news and entertainment programming.
In March, Oliver offered a succinct reaction to the proposed acquisition, stating, "Yeah, not great news." He has previously used more colorful language to express his opposition, at one point saying, "Please stay the f**k away from us. You are not my real business daddy, and you never will be!" He also criticized Paramount's settlement with the Trump administration concerning a lawsuit against CBS's "60 Minutes."
This renewal marks a deviation from HBO's typical three-year contract pickups, a decision potentially influenced by the ongoing uncertainty since Ellison's Skydance won a bidding war against Netflix in February. Oliver indicated that the show's stance has been to make it clear they are "not going to be amenable to changes" and to "continue like it isn't happening."
The potential takeover has been a point of concern for Oliver, who has addressed the situation in segments on his show. Ellison's previous acquisition of Paramount led to a "MAGA-friendly overhaul" of CBS News and the abrupt cancellation of Stephen Colbert's "The Late Show," which was announced shortly before the sale's approval.
Oliver admitted to having "absolutely no idea" what the outcome of the merger would be, jokingly noting that his lack of control over the situation was "almost helpful." He stated that the only way to move forward is to act as if "nothing's happening and everything has stayed the same."