US Regulators Approve Paramount-Skydance Merger Amidst Corruption Concerns
The Federal Communications Commission approved the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, paving the way for an $8.4 billion sale including major entertainment assets like CBS and Paramount Pictures. This approval came after Paramount settled a lawsuit with Donald Trump for $16 million, a move criticized by some as a bribe, though the FCC chair maintained the review was separate from the settlement. The merger has raised concerns due to Skydance’s commitment to address conservative grievances and reduce diversity initiatives, a move that the sole Democratic commissioner believes erodes press freedom. Despite these concerns, the merger promises significant investment in Paramount’s operations and occurred alongside a new South Park episode that openly satirized the merger and its implications.
John Q. Hosedrinker