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Ellison Presses FCC Chair for Paramount Merger Approval With Key Safeguards

Skydance detailed measures for unbiased journalism, nondiscrimination policies, a capped passive foreign stake as regulators navigate an extended review

Paramount Global logo is seen in this illustration taken December 17, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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, Skydance CEO David Ellison and counsel Matthew A. Brill met FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, chief of staff Greg Watson and Media Bureau counsel Ben Arden to advocate for their $8.4 billion merger with Paramount Global.
  • Ellison pledged to preserve CBS’s editorial autonomy by embracing diverse ideological perspectives to ensure unbiased news coverage under new ownership.
  • The ex parte filing highlighted Skydance’s commitment to promoting non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity at New Paramount in full compliance with federal law.
  • Skydance refuted claims of undue foreign influence by clarifying that Tencent will hold less than 5 percent of the merged company in a non-voting, passive role with no governance or informational rights.
  • The FCC review has extended beyond 245 days, with groups including the Teamsters and the Center for American Rights pressing for concessions as regulators approach an October 5, 2025 approval deadline.