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16h ago

David Ellison Meets FCC Chair to Defend Skydance-Paramount Merger

The ex parte meeting highlighted promises of unbiased journalism, compliance with diversity policies, Tencent’s lack of governance rights.

David Ellison, CEO of Skydance Media, at Apple's "Fountain of Youth" world premiere held at the American Museum of Natural History on May 19, 2025 in New York, New York.
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Overview

  • On July 15, David Ellison and counsel Matthew A. Brill met with FCC Chair Brendan Carr and Media Bureau staff to present the merger’s public interest benefits.
  • They stressed Skydance’s commitment to unbiased journalism and diverse viewpoints to safeguard CBS’s editorial independence.
  • Ellison and Brill signaled readiness to follow FCC precedent on ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs and to uphold nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity.
  • They refuted concerns about Chinese influence by confirming that Tencent will hold less than a 5 percent passive, non-voting stake with no governance or informational rights.
  • The FCC’s review has exceeded its standard 180-day timeline, reaching day 245 with no scheduled decision as advocacy groups and affiliates press for approval conditions.