{"id":2466484,"date":"2025-07-24T22:23:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T02:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fcc-approves-8-billion-skydance-merger-with-paramount-after-dei-assurances-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T22:24:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T02:24:08","slug":"fcc-approves-8-billion-skydance-merger-with-paramount-after-dei-assurances-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fcc-approves-8-billion-skydance-merger-with-paramount-after-dei-assurances-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"FCC approves $8 billion Skydance merger with Paramount after DEI assurances &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffcc-approves-8-billion-skydance-merger-with-paramount-after-dei-assurances-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2466484&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Paramount Global&#8217;s $8 billion merger with Skydance and its subsidiaries after Skydance committed to dismantling its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The FCC had expressed concerns that Paramount&#8217;s DEI initiatives, especially at CBS News, might <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/just-in-supreme-court-will-hear-cases-challenging-race-based-affirmative-action\/\" title=\"JUST IN: Supreme Court Will Hear Cases Challenging Race-Based Affirmative Action\">violate civil rights laws<\/a> by favoring certain groups. To address this, Skydance pledged to comply fully with non-discrimination laws and to implement an autonomous third-party review process for bias complaints.FCC chairman Brendan Carr welcomed these commitments, highlighting the importance of unbiased, fact-based news coverage and a diversity of political viewpoints. The approval was granted with a 2-1 vote, with Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez dissenting due to concerns over press freedom following a legal settlement between Paramount and former President Donald Trump. With the merger approved, Skydance CEO David Ellison will soon lead Paramount and its major subsidiaries, including CBS, Paramount studios, and various cable channels, aiming to strengthen the company&#8217;s competitive position in the evolving media landscape.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">FCC approves $8 billion Skydance merger with Paramount after DEI assurances<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2164257\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/federal-communications-commission\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Federal Communications Commission<\/a> approved Paramount Global&rsquo;s merger with Skydance and its subsidiaries on Thursday, after the entertainment company committed to dissolving its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/dei\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">diversity, equity, and inclusion<\/a> programs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Paramount Global&rsquo;s DEI initiatives, particularly at subsidiary CBS News, have drawn scrutiny from the Trump administration over concerns that they favor specific groups and pit them against <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination based<\/a> on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3480934\/norfolk-southern-and-union-pacific-confirm-railroad-merger-talks\/\">Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific confirm merger talks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3480819\/in-n-out-ceo-lynsi-snyder-tennessee-move\/\">In-N-Out CEO asserts &#8216;appreciation for our customers in California&#8217; amid backlash about moving<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3480511\/la-reporter-roasts-tesla-diner-on-live-tv-elon-dont-come-for-me\/\">LA reporter roasts Tesla Diner on live TV: &lsquo;Elon, don&rsquo;t come for me&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Those concerns held up Skydance&rsquo;s effort to acquire Paramount&rsquo;s network as the FCC demanded it pledge to bring all subsidiaries into full compliance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dei-obsessed-university-of-virginia-president-resigns-in-disgrace\/\" title=\"...-Obsessed University Of Virginia President Resigns In Disgrace\">civil rights regulations<\/a> before approving the $8 billion merger. Skydance on Tuesday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3480318\/skydance-slash-dei-policies-paramount-promise-fcc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">moved to salve unease with a letter <\/a>to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr pledging to comply with &ldquo;non-discrimination requirements and other applicable laws.&rdquo; Skydance also said it would hire a third-party outsider to report to the new company&rsquo;s president to evaluate complaints of bias.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Two days later, Carr decided to grant approval, writing that he welcomed &ldquo;Skydance&rsquo;s commitment to make significant changes at the once storied CBS broadcast network.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Today&rsquo;s decision also marks another step forward in the FCC&rsquo;s efforts to eliminate invidious forms of DEI discrimination,&rdquo; the FCC chairman <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DOC-413229A1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a> in a statement. &ldquo;And Skydance&rsquo;s commitment to enhancing local news and reporting &mdash; coverage valued by the public &mdash; will also inure to the benefit of the American people. &hellip; In particular, Skydance has made written commitments to ensure that the new company&rsquo;s programming embodies a diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Skydance will also adopt measures that can root out the bias that has undermined trust in the national news media. These commitments, if implemented, would enable CBS to operate in the public interest and focus on fair, unbiased, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ap-claps-back-at-fired-anti-israel-reporter-who-claims-she-was-cancel-culture-victim-journalists-cannot-take-sides\/\" title=\"AP Claps Back At Fired Anti-Israel Reporter Who Claims She Was \u2018Cancel Culture\u2019 Victim: Journalists \u2018Cannot Take Sides\u2019\">fact-based coverage<\/a>. Doing so would begin the process of earning back Americans&rsquo; trust,&rdquo; he added. Americans no longer trust the legacy national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly. It is time for a change.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The FCC&rsquo;s 2-1 ruling comes weeks after Paramount agreed to pay a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3193751\/cbs-fcc-complaint-edited-60-minutes-harris-interview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> after he accused the network<\/a>, through CBS News, of covering him unfairly, particularly as he campaigned against former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election. The president<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3314948\/trump-broadens-cbs-lawsuit-after-unedited-harris-60-minutes-interview-release\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> alleged<\/a> that the company <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3212222\/trump-sues-cbs-edited-deceitful-harris-interview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">deceptively edited<\/a> Harris&rsquo;s <em>60 Minutes<\/em> interview and that the edits constituted consumer fraud and election interference.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President-elect Donald Trump speaks with Brendan Carr before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell\/Pool via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the lone holdout who failed to vote in favor of the merger Thursday, suggested the settlement made her decide not to back the deal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted,&rdquo; she wrote <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/FCC-25-43A2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">in her dissent<\/a>. &ldquo;Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions. In an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3193751\/cbs-fcc-complaint-edited-60-minutes-harris-interview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">CBS HIT WITH FCC COMPLAINT OVER EDITED 60 MINUTES HARRIS INTERVIEW<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The FCC&rsquo;s approval means&nbsp;Skydance CEO David Ellison will take the reins at Paramount in the coming weeks, taking charge of a host of subsidiaries, including CBS, the Paramount film studio, Paramount+, and cable channels such as MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon.<\/p>\n<p>In an <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/FCC-25-43A1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">order<\/a> announcing approval of the merger, which was initially announced more than a year ago, the FCC hoped that Skydance&rsquo;s acquisition of the established media company would give Paramount a pathway to emerging as a &ldquo;stronger and more vibrant competitor in the modern media landscape.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2164257\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2164257\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FCC clears $8B Skydance-Paramount merger after DEI changes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2466485,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/fcc-carr.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[16609,54802,59771],"class_list":["post-2466484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-fcc","tag-paramount-2","tag-skydance"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/fcc-carr.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2466484"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466484\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2466488,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466484\/revisions\/2466488"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2466485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2466484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2466484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2466484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}