CNN and celebrity gossip site TMZ could potentially be sold off after AT&T merges with Time Warner, a report claims.

The $85 billion deal, which was announced in October, will give AT&T control of Time Warner properties including CNN, HBO and TMZ, as well as the film studio Warner Bros and other coveted media assets.

Sources told Deadline that AT&T executives are considering getting rid of some of Time Warner's assets, including the cable news network and the celebrity gossip site.

CNN and celebrity gossip site TMZ could potentially be sold off after AT&T merges with Time Warner in a $85 billion deal, sources claim

CBS's CEO Les Moonves reportedly said last month that he would be interested in acquiring CNN if it were to become available.

AT&T is considering selling TMZ to a private equity company, sources say.

'They don't want any controversy,' one source said of AT&T.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said back in October after the merger was announced that he was committed to 'continuing the editorial independence of CNN'.

'Independence is what makes CNN so popular and so valuable. We will not do anything to change that,' he said.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said back in October after the merger was announced that he was committed to 'continuing the editorial independence of CNN'

The $85 billion deal, which was announced in October, will give AT&T control of Time Warner properties including CNN, HBO and TMZ

The deal was criticized last year by then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, who accused media companies of being unfair in covering his campaign and said his Justice Department would block it.

Democrats have also taken issue with the proposed merger, saying it could harm consumers and content providers.

AT&T reportedly expects the deal to be approved and closed by the Justice Department by the end of the year.