Overview

• The FCC cleared the $8.4 billion merger on July 24 by a 2–1 vote, removing the final regulatory barrier and allowing the deal to close imminently.
• Skydance must install an independent CBS News ombudsman for at least two years to investigate editorial-bias complaints under the conditions of approval.
• The commission accepted Skydance’s pledge to dismantle Paramount’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs, a concession hailed by Republicans and denounced by Democratic critics.
• Paramount’s $16 million settlement with President Trump over a “60 Minutes” lawsuit on July 1 sparked corruption allegations from senators like Elizabeth Warren; Democratic commissioner Anna Gomez also cited the payout in her dissent.
• Upon closing, Skydance CEO David Ellison is expected to succeed the Redstone family as chair and chief executive of the restructured Paramount Global.