Skydance-Paramount Deal Faces FCC Scrutiny

Skydance Media CEO David Ellison recently met with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to seek approval for Skydance's proposed $28 billion acquisition of Paramount Global, which includes CBS. Ellison pledged a commitment to unbiased journalism and diverse viewpoints in CBS's editorial decisions during the meeting. The discussion addressed non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity, as well as responding to Carr's scrutiny of DEI initiatives. The meeting took place shortly after Paramount and CBS settled a lawsuit brought by Donald Trump over alleged biased editing in a '60 Minutes' interview, which Carr had previously cited as an example of media bias. Ellison and his counsel also denied concerns about possible Chinese influence in the deal and emphasized the public interest benefits and new leadership Skydance and RedBird would bring. The FCC is still weighing input from multiple stakeholders as it considers approval of the CBS broadcast license transfers.