The Federal Communications Commission approved the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media on Thursday, clearing the way for an $8.4bn sale of some of the most prominent names in entertainment, including the CBS broadcast television network, Paramount Pictures, and the Nickelodeon cable channel.
The FCC agreed to transfer broadcast licenses for 28 owned-and-operated CBS television stations to the new owners after Paramount paid $16m to settle a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with former vice-president Kamala Harris that aired in October.
The Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr, has said the agency’s review of the proposed merger was not connected to the civil suit. Carr was hand-picked by Donald Trump to lead the FCC.
Paramount Global, which owns CBS, came under fire last week after the company decided to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, just a few days after its host criticized Paramount’ for settling with Trump. Colbert called the settlement “a big, fat bribe”.
The Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, who has called for an investigation into Paramount’s relationship with Trump over the Skydance merger, wrote in a social media post: “CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount.”
Skydance is owned by David Ellison, the son of a close Trump ally, tech billionaire and second richest man in the world Larry Ellison.
The merger came after Skydance and its investment partner, RedBird Capital, assured the FCC of their commitment to unbiased journalism that represents diverse viewpoints.
But that committment to diversity appears to privilege conservative viewpoints. According to Carr, Skydance “has made written commitments” promising its news network will address conservative grievances and stop all efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
Skydance said it would appoint an ombudsman to evaluate complaints of editorial bias or other concerns about CBS in an effort to promote transparency and increased accountability.
Paramount also eliminated its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to align with the Trump administration’s view that such affirmative action policies are discriminatory.
